Minimally invasive procedures as an alternative to medical management for lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Data are reviewed relating to the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive transurethral microwave thermotherapy and medical management in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Recent evidence is summarized indicating more pronounced long-term beneficial effects of microwave treatment. alpha-Blockade, however, offers the advantage of more rapid action than microwave treatment. Neoadjuvant and adjuvant alpha-blocker therapy can accelerate symptom and flow rate improvement in patients receiving microwave treatment. Compared with medical management, microwave treatment possesses greater versatility, allowing patients with severe baseline symptoms and small prostate sizes to be treated with a high probability of success.