A randomized controlled trial of transurethral microwave thermotherapy

Objective To establish the short term clinical and urodynamic effect of transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) in men with symptomatic uncomplicated benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using a randomized controlled trial comparing the treatment with both 'placebo-like' and untreated control groups. Patients and methods The study comprised 120 symptomatic patients with BPH who were candidates for transurethral resection and TUMT. They were randomized to one of three groups: group 1 underwent a standard TUMT, group 2 underwent a simulated treatment identical to group 1 but with no emission of microwaves and group 3 received no treatment. The treatment of the first two groups was 'double-blind' and the heat experienced by the patients during treatment was simulated in both. Patients were assessed on entry to the study and 6 months after treatment using an identical protocol to measure the American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, maximum urinary flow rate (Q max ). post-void residual urine volume (PVR), minimum urethral opening pressure (p muo ) and maximum detrusor pressure (P det max). Results In the untreated group there were no clinically or statistically significant changes in the median AUA symptom score, Q max , PVR, p muo and P det max . In group 1 the AUA score changed significantly, from 19 to 9.5, but the Q max , PVR, p muo and P det max did not. In group 2, the AUA score also changed significantly, from 17.5 to 9.5, but Q max , PVR, p muo and P det max did not. Conclusion The untreated control group showed no clinically relevant deterioration or improvement. The standard and simulated TUMT groups showed little clinically relevant improvement in 'objective' variables, while the clinically significant symptom improvement was of a similar magnitude in both groups.