Local hyperthermia of the prostate gland for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy and urinary retention. A preliminary report.

The Prostathermer (TM), a system designed to deliver hyperthermic treatment to the prostate gland, was used to treat six patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy and urinary retention. The 99-D model consists of a microwave generator operating at 915 MHz, an applicator with a built-in water cooling system, temperature probes and an IBM PC-XT type computer. The treatment regimen differed from patient to patient in the number of treatments (range 5-10), frequency per week (range 1-2), and average radiofrequency (RF) transmission. Sustained controlled heating of the prostatic tissue up to 39.4 to 45.2 degrees C was carried out for 60 min in each session. Five patients were relieved of their indwelling catheters and at follow-up 6 months after termination of therapy they were well by objective and subjective criteria. No complications were encountered. This is preliminary report of our results of treatment with 47 hyperthermic sessions in six patients.