01. What is TUNA Therapy?
02. What is BPH?
03. Where is my prostate?
04. How is BPH diagnosed?
05. What are my treatment options?
06. How long does TUNA therapy last?
07. Who is a candidate for TUNA therapy?
08. When can I return to normal activities?
09. When can I expect my BPH symptoms to go away?
10. What side effects are associated with TUNA Therapy?
11. What is the risk of incontinence?
12. Will there be any sexual side effects?
01. What is TUNA Therapy?
TUNA Therapy is a minimally invasive procedure for BPH with few side effects. The therapy uses low-level radio frequency (RF) heat energy to destroy excess prostate tissue. As the prostate heals, the urethra is no longer "squeezed," which may help you to urinate more normally.
02. What is BPH?
Enlarged prostate - or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that restricts the flow of urine from the bladder. There are two growth periods that cause the prostate to enlarge. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second begins around age 25 and often results years later in BPH. As the prostate enlarges, it presses against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable and begins to contract even when it contains only small amounts of urine. These contractions cause the bladder to weaken, so it doesn't empty completely.
03. Where is my prostate?
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that forms part of the male reproductive system which secretes fluids that help transport sperm. The prostate is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the canal that empties urine from the bladder via the penis.
04. How is BPH diagnosed?
Before recommending a treatment plan, your physician may perform a series of tests to diagnose your condition. The most common tests include:
- AUA Symptom Score: A series of questions rating the extent to which urinary symptoms are bothersome
- Urine flow study: Urinating into a device that measures urine flow rates. A slow flow may suggest BPH.
- Cystoscopy: Your doctor inserts a small tube through the opening of the penis that allows the doctor to view the urethra and bladder and evaluate any obstruction.
- Ultrasound: Your doctor may recommend a rectal ultrasound. A probe is inserted into the rectum, which creates sound waves and forms an image of the prostate on a display screen.
- Rectal exam: Your doctor will insert a gloved finger into the rectum in order to determine the size and condition of the prostate.
05. What are my treatment options?
When BPH symptoms cause embarrassment, sleep disruption or unwanted lifestyle changes, your physician can counsel you on the appropriate treatment for your symptoms and lifestyle. Choosing the right treatment to relieve BPH symptoms is a personal preference. Each treatment may improve symptoms, but each has different risks, complications, and chances of success. It is important to evaluate your symptoms, your BPH treatment choices, and the impact of each on your lifestyle. You should discuss your symptoms and treatment concerns with your doctor.
Treatment options for BPH range from daily drug therapy to invasive surgical procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Over the past decade, minimally invasive therapies such as TUNA Therapy have become available to treat the symptoms of BPH with a one-time treatment. that your physician can do right in his office.
06. How long does TUNA therapy last?
In medical studies, TUNA therapy was shown to give good, long-term relief of BPH symptoms in most patients for 5 years. 3,4
In one study of 188 patients, 4 121 were evaluated five years after TUNA therapy. More than 75% did not need additional treatment for BPH symptoms.
In another study of 65 patients, 3 13 were evaluated five years after TUNA therapy. Only 14% of the 65 patients needed further treatment for BPH symptoms and went on to have the more invasive transurethral resection of the prostate surgical procedure (TURP).
07. Who is a candidate for TUNA therapy?
TUNA therapy is for men with BPH who are over age 50 with prostate sizes between 20 cm3 and 50 cm3. 5 Your doctor can evaluate you to see if you are a good candidate for the therapy.
08. When can I return to normal activities?
This in-office, minimally invasive procedure allows most patients to resume most activities within a few days.
09. When can I expect my BPH symptoms to go away?
Most patients will notice improvement within two to six weeks. However, results may vary depending on the severity and duration of symptoms and the size of the prostate treated. Full improvement may not occur for two to three months. 6 Follow your physician’s instructions as to when to stop taking your BPH medication.
10. What side effects are associated with TUNA Therapy?
Possible side effects include obstruction, bleeding, blood in urine, pain/discomfort, urgency to urinate, increased frequency and urinary tract infection. Patients may also experience a minor burning sensation when urinating for one to two weeks following the treatment.
11. What is the risk of incontinence?
There were no reported cases of incontinence in the original clinical study conducted by Medtronic for approval of this therapy. In some other clinical studies, incontinence occurred in 3.1 percent of patients. 2
12. Will there be any sexual side effects?
During the original clinical study conducted by Medtronic for the approval of this therapy, less than two percent of RF therapy patients experienced impotence and less than one percent of patients experienced retrograde ejaculation. 1,2