Microwave Therapy for BPH
Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) is a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). With this procedure, Dr. Gholami inserts a special electrode through your urethra into your prostate area. Microwave energy from the electrode generates heat to shrink the prostate tissue, resulting in the destruction of excess prostate tissue around the urethra with subsequent relief of urinary obstruction. This treatment can be done in a single session, and general or spinal anesthetic is not needed during the procedure. The benefit of this procedure is that it, like other BPH procedures, allows patients to stop taking potentially expensive and side effect prone medications.
TUMT vs. TURP
Compared to a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the “gold standard” procedure for BPH, TUMT has a lower risk of complications. However, Dr. Gholami generally only uses TUMT on small prostates in special circumstances, because re-treatment is often necessary.