Cooled transurethral microwave thermotherapy for intractable chronic prostatitis—results of a pilot study after 1 year

To evaluate the side effects, tolerability, and efficacy of transurethral microwave thermotherapy with urethral cooling (cooled TUMT) for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in a prospective feasibility trial. Cooled TUMT, using the Targis system from Urologix, is an established treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with minimal side effects. Patients with intractable chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and symptoms for more than 3 of the 6 months before treatment (National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index [NIH-CPSI] pain score of at least 8) were randomized to cooled TUMT at an intraprostatic temperature of either ∼55°C or ∼70°C. Tolerability, side effects, and efficacy were measured with standard diagnostic tests, including the NIH-CPSI. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the effects with and without BPH comorbidity. A total of 42 patients were included in the study; 39 patients successfully completed treatment and 35 completed follow-up through 12 months. The baseline versus 12-month mean NIH-CPSI score was total score 23.4 ± 6.4 versus 11.5 ± 10.2 (improvement in mean value of 51%), pain score 11.5 ± 2.8 versus 4.6 ± 4.9 (improvement in mean value of 60%), quality-of-life impact score 7.2 ± 2.9 versus 3.8 ± 3.8 (improvement in mean value of 47%; all P