Transurethral balloon laser enhanced thermotherapy in the canine prostate

Background and Objective Hyperthermia is performed for prostate cancer. We examined the selective induction of coagulonecrotic changes in the objective area of the canine prostate in enhancing the effect of hyperthermia and treating the target area with transurethral balloon laser enhanced thermotherapy (TUBAL-ET) using a light absorbent material. Study Design/Materials and Methods The heat exchange of ultrafine carbon particles after laser irradiation was observed in a phantom study using thermography. The carbon solution was injected at the right prostatic lobe in dogs and TUBAL-ET was performed. Results The charcoal absorbed the Nd:YAG laser energy and apparently converted it into thermal energy in the phantom study by thermographic observation. TUBAL-ET induced coagulonecrotic changes only at the area at which carbon had been injected in the prostate gland. The necrotic tissue was almost absorbed at four weeks after treatment. Conclusions TUBAL-ET induces tissue damage at the target area in the prostate gland. Lasers Surg. Med. 21:321–328, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.