It offers significant and long-lasting relief from the symptoms of BPH. TUMT is also effective at enhancing patient comfort by protecting the urethra from the heat generated during the procedure through a proprietary circulatory cooling system.
TUMT is performed right here at TUCC. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, however patients should allow for extra time including pre- and post-procedure activities. It is not surgery and there are no incisions.
How TUMT Works
The process will begin with a pre-procedure local anesthetic, or pain medication, to minimize any potential discomfort. During the procedure a catheter will be inserted through the urethra and placed near the area of prostatic growth. An antenna within the catheter deploys microwaves that generate heat in the prostate, in turn reducing the amount of excess tissue. Throughout the procedure, cooled fluid is circulated through specially made tubes, protecting the urethra and surrounding healthy prostatic tissue from the heat.
Recovery from TUMT is relatively short and patients are able to return home once the procedure is complete. However patients should not drive themselves. A temporary catheter is typically required for a few days after the procedure.
Within the first several weeks after the procedure, the body will be healing itself by reabsorbing the treated prostatic tissue. Patients will have progressively greater relief from the procedure over the course of 6-12 weeks, after which time the full degree of relief should be felt.
Benefits of TUMT
While every patient is different, TUMT is a safe and durable procedure that comes with relatively few sexual side effects when compared to BPH medicines such as 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and alpha-blockers. Patients will find that their procedure is covered by Medicare in all 50 states and most private insurance plans cover the procedure as well.
Risks of TUMT
As with any medical procedure, there are some potential risks and considerations with TUMT. These may include:
• Blood (sometimes clotted) in urine (Hematuria)
• Painful or difficult urination (Dysuria)
• Rectal irritation
• Temporary inability to control urination
• Possible, temporary inability to achieve or maintain an erection
• Retrograde ejaculation