Cooled ThermoTherapy is a non-surgical, office-based prostate therapy used to treat BPH in a 30-minute treatment. Cooled ThermoTherapy uses precisely targeted microwave energy to heat and destroy enlarged prostate tissue while a cooling mechanism protects healthy, surrounding tissue. This non-surgical BPH treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and requires local anesthesia and/or oral medications. Within weeks, the majority of men notice improvements in their symptoms and overall quality of life.1
Why Cooled Thermotherapy?
At Urology Associates of Central California we are pleased to inform you that we are performing a non-surgical treatment for enlarged prostate (BPH) called Cooled ThermoTherapy™.
Cooled ThermoTherapy is FDA-approved and has been endorsed by the American Urological Association (AUA). To date, more than 250,000 men have chosen Cooled ThermoTherapy. Benefits of this valuable treatment include:
- Proven safe, effective and durable with low retreatment rates
- Provides long-lasting relief without chronic medication1
- Covered by Medicare and most private insurers
- No surgery or general anesthesia required
Procedure
- The treatment is a single procedure that generally takes 30 minutes and is performed here at our office with local anesthesia. We have successfully treated many patients with Cooled ThermoTherapy and found it is an effective alternative to drug therapy – providing long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms and improved quality of life1.
- You will be awake during the entire procedure. The non-surgical benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment itself generally takes between 30 minutes to an hour although you should allow 2 to 3 hours for the entire office visit.
- You’ll be positioned on a treatment bed in a comfortable position. You may be able to watch television, read a book or listen to music while the treatment is being done. You may be given medication to help you relax before beginning the treatment.
- To start the procedure, your urologist will insert a flexible catheter into your urethra and position it in the prostate. A soft balloon catheter will then be placed in your rectum to monitor rectal temperatures during the procedure.
- Once the treatment begins you may experience some discomfort such as:
– Bladder spasms
– The sensation of having to empty your bladder
– The sensation of needing to have a bowel movement
– A warm or burning sensation in your abdomen
– Pressure in the rectum
During this prostate therapy, the office staff will do their best to make you as comfortable as possible.
Risks
The Targis® System is a non-surgical device intended to relieve symptoms and obstruction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and is indicated for men with prostatic urethral lengths of 2.5+ cm.
This therapy is not for everyone. Talk to your physician to see if Cooled ThermoTherapy is right for you. Most medical procedures may have side effects. Most complications occurred shortly after treatment and were transient. Possible side effects for Cooled ThermoTherapy include:
- Dysuria
- Blood in urine
- Clots in urine
- Painful or difficult urination
- Thickened bladder muscle
- Rectal irritation
- Temporary inability to control urination
- Brief inability to achieve or maintain an erection and the inability to discharge semen in orgasm thus should be considered by men who wish to have further offspring.
- A small risk of urethral stricture may result requiring further intervention.
- Patients may experience discomfort during the procedure that may require the use of analgesics or sedatives. Patients may be catheterized for a 2 to 5 day period following the treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the prostate gland?
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. The adult prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut. Its primary function is to produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
Q: What is BPH?
BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is commonly known as enlarged prostate. BPH is a non-cancerous condition in which prostate cells grow, enlarging the gland and causing it to squeeze the urethra. A variety of symptoms may result, including difficult, frequent or urgent urination.
Q: How Common is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
It is very common. An estimated 50%1 of all men over the age of 60 suffer from BPH.
Q: When should I seek BPH Treatment?
If you are experiencing symptoms of BPH that are affecting your quality of life, such as losing sleep because you need to wake during the night to urinate, you are unable to urinate, you are unable to delay urination, have hesitancy, or a weak urine stream, check with your urologist to discuss if it is time to seek Enlarged Prostate Treatment.
Q: What treatments for BPH are available?
Typically, three treatment options are available. The most common forms of BPH treatment have been drug therapy or surgery. However, medication may cause unwanted side effects,2 and can cost up to $1,000 per year.3 Surgery effectively removes the enlarged prostate tissue and requires general anesthesia and hospitalization. Cooled ThermoTherapy™ is a non-surgical, office-based procedure that usually improves symptoms and urine flow without the risks of general anesthesia associated with surgery and side effects or costs associated with medication.
Q: What is Cooled ThermoTherapy?
Cooled ThermoTherapy, also known as transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), has been available in the US since 1997. It is an office-based, non-surgical procedure that delivers precise energy to destroy enlarged prostate tissue while unique cooling mechanisms protect healthy, surrounding tissue. This combination creates an effective non-surgical benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, and also distinguishes Cooled ThermoTherapy microwave technology from other microwave treatments currently on the market.
Q: Why is cooling important?
Cooling is important for two reasons. First, cooling the urethra reduces the need for anesthesia and provides a more rapid recovery after the treatment. Second, cooling the urethra reduces side effects of a higher power treatment, offering lasting results.
Q: Why should I choose Cooled ThermoTherapy?
- 90% of patients report satisfactory improvement in IPSS symptom score at 1 year.4
- 72% of patients report satisfactory improvement in flow rate at 1 year.4
- Cooled ThermoTherapy does not require hospitalization, general anesthesia or the long recovery time some surgical patients must face.
- Cooled ThermoTherapy has been shown to be more cost effective than other treatments, costing a fraction of the thousands of dollars some patients spend on a lifetime of drug therapy.3
- Cooled ThermoTherapy is the only microwave technology utilizing patented cooling technology.
- Cooled ThermoTherapy requires a single office visit for a full treatment.
Q. Is Cooled ThermoTherapy expensive?
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy is a cost-effective treatment covered by Medicare and most private insurance providers. Most medication therapies must be taken daily, generally only relieve symptoms of BPH, and may cost a patient up to $1,000 per year.3
Q: How long does the TUMT treatment take?
The TUMT treatment itself generally takes between 30 minutes to one hour, although you should allow 2 to 3 hours for the entire office visit.
Q: Is the transurethral microwave thermotherapy treatment painful? Does the treatment require anesthesia?
Your Urologist may use local anesthesia and/or oral medications to minimize discomfort during this BPH treatment. Most patients feel heat during the treatment and some patients experience discomfort. Individual responses vary.
Q: What are the side effects of Cooled ThermoTherapy?
Cooled ThermoTherapy is proven to be safe and effective; however, some side effects have been reported. Your urologist can explain the potential side effects, including how they compare to other BPH treatments in more detail.
Q: Can I go home right after the procedure?
Yes. You should arrange for someone to drive you home because you may have been given some medication to help you relax during the procedure. Your urologist will give you post-treatment instructions and explain the recovery period to you.
Q: Will I need a catheter after the treatment?
Many patients need a catheter to aid in urination for a few days following this transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) treatment.
Q: Does Cooled ThermoTherapy treatment provide lasting results?
Five years5 of clinical data shows that Cooled ThermoTherapy is an effective and lasting enlarged prostate treatment.
Q: Is Cooled ThermoTherapy covered by insurance?
Medicare and many commercial insurance plans provide coverage for the Cooled ThermoTherapy procedure. You need to contact your insurance company to find out if they provide coverage for the treatment. If your insurance plan needs more information before they will make a decision on coverage, ask your doctor’s office for assistance.