Application of External Microwave Thermotherapy in Urology: Past, Present, and Future

Long-term treatment outcomes of CoreTherm microwave feedback thermotherapy

The gold standard for definitive management of symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Despite its efficacy, TURP has significant morbidity/mortality concerns such as hemorrhage and transurethral resection syndrome. This is especially worrisome for the medically high-risk patient, but the high rates of retrograde ejaculation found with TURP also pose a problem for young patients. A minimally invasive, outpatient alternative to TURP that has long-term efficacy, low morbidity/mortality, and provides a cost-effective advantage is in high demand. This review article discusses microwave thermotherapy as such an option and reports the long-term experience with the CoreTherm (CoreTherm Operations AB, Sweden) device.