Objective: This study reports on a 5-year follow-up after transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) from benign prostatic obstruction using a lower power treatment protocol.
Material and methods: Ninety-one patients with uncomplicated benign prostatic obstruction were treated in a 1-h session using the PRIMUS U + R device.
Results: Twenty-nine (32%) of the patients were evaluable after 5 years, while 42 had received additional treatment for their lower urinary tract symptoms. In the 29 patients without additional therapy after TUMT, the decrease in the International Prostate Symptom Score was 37% compared with the pretreatment value. A moderate increase in peak uroflow, seen 1 year after TUMT, was not confirmed in an extended follow-up. Patients still on TUMT monotherapy after 5 years had smaller prostates from the outset than the group receiving additional treatment. No serious side-effects were observed.
Conclusion: Lower power TUMT has a symptomatic effect of limited duration in most cases; in the long-term perspective only a minority of patients will benefit from this treatment.