CoreTherm® is a method that was mostly developed in Sweden. The therapy is individually adjusted for each patient. This means that the treatment time and amount of heat used is adjusted according to your specific needs. The aim of the therapy is to reduce the size of the prostate by taking away the excess tissue so that urine can flow normally again. This is done using heat (50°C) generated by microwaves directed to the parts of the prostate that are causing the problem.
ProstaLund has improved this method further by developing a temperature sensor that ensures that the correct temperatures and power effects are used.
To administer the treatment a special catheter is passed through the urethra to the prostate. The medical team follow the entire process on a computer screen and can adjust the microwave power according to the individual needs of each patient.
The heat generated by the microwaves destroys the excess tissue and allows urine to flow freely again.
How is the treatment carried out?
CoreTherm therapy is carried out using a local anaesthetic in a normal examination room. If you want you may be given painkilling and tranquilizing medication. During the treatment you may experience discomfort in the form of heat sensations and an urgent need to urinate. Despite the fact that the bladder is empty you may feel that you need to empty it. If you experience this strongly you may be given additional tranquilizing and muscle relaxing medication.
These sensations will go away when the treatment has been completed.
What happens after the treatment?
The urinary tract and prostate gland become swollen during the treatment. It takes some time for the swelling to go down and you will therefore need to have an indwelling catheter for 1 to 4 weeks. To reduce the risk of infection you will normally be given some form of antibiotic.
For a while after the treatment it may be more difficult to empty the bladder. You may experience urgent needs to urinate and a stinging sensation, or urination may be a little painful. These problems will ease with time. Immediately following the treatment you may also pass pieces of tissue when you urinate. These are visible as small clumps. Now and again you may also see blood in your urine. This is normal and is nothing to worry about. It is important that you contact your doctor, however, if you have difficulty in emptying your bladder, if you cannot pass urine at all or if you have a high fever.
How many people have been treated using CoreTherm®?
BPH has been treated using microwaves since the beginning of the 1990s. In the last year alone it has been estimated that around 100,000 patients worldwide have been treated using different types of microwave therapy. Since CoreTherm was introduced more than 20,000 men in Europe and the USA have had their prostate problems successfully treated.
For which patients is CoreTherm® a suitable treatment alternative?
After thorough medical tests your doctor will discuss with you which treatment alternatives are the most suitable for you. For the majority of patients CoreTherm® is a very good alternative as there is no requirement for a general anaesthetic or risk of bleeding.
The procedure takes around 10-15 minutes (when use of Schelin catheter as anaesthesia is used) and can be performed at a hospital or in a doctor’s surgery. You can return home the same day. It takes a few months for the full effects of the therapy to be seen. More than 80 percent of all those treated notice a distinct improvement within six months.
Advantages
- As effective as surgery (TURP).
- No inpatient hospitalisation.
- Very low frequency of complications (bleeding/erectile dysfunction).
- Treatment takes only about 15 minutes.
- Preparations, thermotherapy and aftercare take approximately 1 hour and you can then return to your daily activities.
- Convenient as therapy is given under local anaesthetic and can easily be carried out in a doctor’s surgery.
- Very low risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction or other serious side effects.
- CoreTherm® is available at 15-20 surgeries and clinics in Sweden.
Disadvantages
- You will need an indwelling catheter or a so called soft-stent (CoreFlow®) for a few weeks.
- During the healing process you might feel stinging or urinary urgency sensations, but these pass with time.
- You may develop a urinary tract infection because of the catheter.
- “Dry ejaculation” can occur.