Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) with Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) in Germany
Treatment prices are regulated by national law of the corresponding countries, but can also include additional hospital coefficients. In order to receive the individual cost calculation, please send us the request and medical records.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology, Andrology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology, Andrology offers the full range of services in the areas of its specialization. Men and boys with diseases of the reproductive system can be diagnosed and treated in the medical facility. Doctors also treat infertility and erectile dysfunction. Medical care is provided to men and women with diseases of the urinary system, namely kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The department is certified as the Prostate Cancer Center by the German Cancer Society (DKG), which indicates the excellent quality of the services provided in this area. The department's urologists have a perfect command of the innovative treatment methods, including holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), photodynamic therapy, and da Vinci robot-assisted surgery. The department employs comprehensively trained and experienced doctors who apply advanced medical achievements in their practice. Each patient is provided with an individual approach, considering their specific needs and wishes.
Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology provides high-precision diagnostic examinations and effective treatment for diseases of the genitourinary system and reproductive system in men and boys. Of particular interest is drug therapy and surgical treatment of prostate, bladder, kidney, testicular, and penile cancers. The department is part of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Ulm (CCCU). For the patient, this means that their clinical case is studied by a multidisciplinary tumor board, which determines the optimal treatment tactics. The department is also certified by the German Cancer Society (DKG), so all therapeutic procedures meet strict national and international standards. The department's team of urologists also has unique clinical experience in the minimally invasive treatment of kidney stone disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia, neuro-urological dysfunction, and all urologic diseases in children. During the surgical treatment, the specialists at the medical facility successfully use minimally traumatic surgical techniques. They perform endoscopic, laser, minimally invasive, and robot-assisted surgery using the innovative Da Vinci system. The department treats about 3,000 inpatients and 9,000 outpatients with clinical cases of varying complexity annually. The number of surgical procedures performed and treatment outcomes are regularly published by the authorized commission of the Initiative Quality in Medicine (IQM).
Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology, Andrology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Urology, Andrology offers the full range of services for the diagnostics and treatment of urologic diseases in men and children, as well as urogynecologic disorders in women. One of the priority focuses of the department's specialization is the restoration of potency in men. According to the international ratings, this is the best hospital in Europe, where a team of urologists effectively treats erectile dysfunction. Another key focus of the department's work is on the treatment of benign and malignant prostate diseases. To treat prostate cancer, the doctors perform low-traumatic robot-assisted interventions using the very latest da Vinci® XI HD surgical system. The therapeutic offer is complemented by the treatment of pathologies of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, testicles and penis. In the field of pediatric urology, the correction of congenital malformations of the reproductive system in boys is of particular interest. The department's doctors are professionals in their area of specialization, so the patients can be sure that they will certainly find an effective solution even for the most complex clinical case.
Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT) is one of the mildest, safest, and most sparing options for destroying an enlarged prostate. The treatment method is suitable for patients who want to get rid of the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia while preserving erectile function. The prostate is approached through the urethra, and the excess tissue that is compressing the urinary tract is destroyed by heating to a temperature well above the protein denaturation temperature. If you want to undergo transurethral microwave therapy, you can make an appointment for your treatment in Germany through the Booking Health website.
Content
- What is prostate adenoma and how is it treated with TUMT?
- What is TUMT for BPH and how does it work?
- Advantages and disadvantages of the TUMT method for BPH
- How is the TUMT procedure for BPH performed?
- Who may be a candidate for transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for BPH?
- Where can I undergo transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for BPH?
TUMT is a minimally invasive procedure for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It uses microwave energy to heat and destroy excess prostate tissue, improving urinary symptoms with minimal risk.
Transurethral microwave therapy offers several advantages for BPH treatment in Germany: outpatient procedure, shorter recovery time, and minimal risk of complications compared to traditional surgery.
TUMT has shown promising results in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia in Germany, with many patients experiencing significant symptom improvement. However, effectiveness can vary based on individual cases.
TUMT for BPH is available at leading hospitals in Germany. Booking Health assists in arranging treatment in Germany, and connecting patients with experienced urologists specializing in this procedure.
What is prostate adenoma and how is it treated with TUMT?
Prostate adenoma, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a progressive enlargement of the prostate gland that causes irritation and compression of the urinary tract. The main symptoms are related to urination problems.
The following three main approaches are used in clinical practice for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH):
- Conservative therapy, which includes the suppression of male sex hormones to stop prostate growth and the use of alpha-blockers to relax the smooth muscles of the prostate, bladder neck, and prostatic urethra to improve urination
- Minimally invasive procedures to reduce prostate volume
- Surgical procedures for total or partial prostate removal
About 80% of patients with prostatic hyperplasia receive conservative therapy, and 20% require invasive procedures or surgery.
Dozens of methods have been developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. At the beginning of the 21st century, transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) became widespread. Today, its popularity has declined due to the introduction of new procedures into clinical practice, but TUMT is still the technique of choice for the elderly, debilitated patients, and men who want to maintain or restore their erectile function.
What is TUMT for BPH and how does it work?
The technique is a non-traumatic option for reducing the size of the prostate gland by exposing it to high temperatures. All temperature effects are classified into the following three types according to their power:
- Hyperthermia – up to 45 degrees
- Thermotherapy – from 45 to 70 degrees
- Thermoablation – from 70 to 100 degrees
Thermotherapy causes protein denaturation. The tissue is destroyed and then replaced by scar tissue. The scar tissue is denser, so it shifts the urethral walls to the periphery and reduces the urethral resistance to urine flow.
Thermotherapy can be performed in two modes: low-intensity or high-intensity. It improves urinary function in 50-80% of patients after a single treatment procedure. This effect persists for an average of 4-5 years. Better and longer-lasting results can be achieved in patients with a large volume of hyperplastic tissue.
Advantages and disadvantages of the TUMT method for BPH
There are many treatment methods for benign prostatic hyperplasia that can reduce the size of the organ and eliminate urinary symptoms. Each has its pros and cons and is preferred in certain clinical situations.
The main disadvantage of microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is its short-lived effect. Urinary symptoms are relieved for a few years, and then the procedure has to be repeated because the prostate continues to enlarge and may again put pressure on the organs of the urinary system.
The European Association of Urology (EAU) has removed TUMT from its list of recommended treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 2019 because of this drawback. The American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia still list transurethral microwave therapy as a possible treatment option, but as of 2018, physicians must warn their patients that there is a higher risk of needing repeat treatment after this procedure compared to other methods.
The main advantage of TUMT is its safety. Transurethral microwave therapy has the lowest complication rates and zero mortality. It is the best treatment method for elderly and senile people weakened by comorbidities. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia and sedation.
Compared to other treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), microwave therapy provides less risks of:
- Retrograde ejaculation
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Urethral stricture (scar narrowing of the urethra)
In addition, transurethral microwave thermotherapy has a relatively low price compared to other treatment options for prostatic hyperplasia.
How is the TUMT procedure for BPH performed?
A microwave catheter is inserted through the patient's urethra (transurethrally) into the enlarged prostate. Inside the catheter is an antenna that emits microwaves. These heat the prostatic tissue, causing protein denaturation and also destroying the receptors responsible for muscle contractions.
As a result of the procedure, the prostate becomes smaller and the muscles relax, which improves urination and the patient's quality of life.
The transurethral procedure lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is well tolerated, does not require a hospital stay, and the rehabilitation period is minimal.
After the procedure, a Foley catheter is placed into the urethra to prevent urinary retention associated with postoperative prostate edema. After 3-5 days, it can be replaced with a temporary stent that is used for 4 weeks. The stent is then removed, and urinary parameters continue to improve over the next few months.
Who may be a candidate for transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for BPH?
Patients with prostatic hyperplasia may be candidates for microwave therapy in the following situations:
- Prostate volume from 30 to 100 ml
- Desire to maintain erectile function
- Old age
- Severe concomitant diseases
- Contraindications to more radical treatments for prostatic hyperplasia
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is the safest and most sparing among invasive treatment methods. At the same time, it is also less effective because it improves urodynamic (urinary) parameters to a lesser extent compared to surgical prostate removal and also has a higher risk of prostatic hyperplasia recurrence.
Where can I undergo transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) for BPH?
If you have prostatic hyperplasia, you can have your treatment in Germany with transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). Many German hospitals offer this procedure to their patients.
Consult with a urologist to understand which method of prostatic hyperplasia treatment is best for you. After the diagnosis, you will be offered the best option to solve your problem.
Transurethral microwave thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia is a safe treatment method that does not require long rehabilitation and has a low risk of complications. According to clinical studies, erection does not deteriorate after this procedure, but even improves, which favorably distinguishes transurethral microwave therapy from other treatment options: not only surgical, but also conservative.
If you want to have your treatment in Germany, you can find out the cost of treatment and choose the most suitable German hospital on the Booking Health website. You can compare prices for different treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia and compare the cost of treatment for TUMT in different German hospitals in order to choose the best option for your treatment in Germany.
Please leave your request on the website to get advice from medical tourism specialists. The Booking Health team will study your medical documents and contact you to offer the best German hospital for your treatment in Germany. Our company's specialists will make an appointment for you with a doctor on your preferred dates and take care of your travel arrangements. The cost of treatment in Germany will be lower for you compared to seeking medical help directly from a German hospital. The price will be lower due to the absence of additional fees for foreign patients.
Authors:
The article was edited by medical experts, board certified doctors Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova and Dr. Vadim Zhiliuk. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article, you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Our editorial policy, which details our commitment to accuracy and transparency, is available here. Click this link to review our policies.
Sources:
