Microwaves heat the prostate tissue to about 115 degrees Fahrenheit, damaging the cells. A self-contained cooling system flushes water around the tip and sides of the antenna, protecting sensitive urethral tissue. Over a few weeks, the injured cells are absorbed by healthy prostate tissue, relieving pressure on the urethra. The Prostatron treatment lasts about an hour. Local anesthesia and sedation are available but not always necessary.
Patients go home the same day and can resume normal activity the following day.
By comparison, surgery usually requires a three-day hospital stay and several weeks' recovery. The Prostatron treatment can be repeated if necessary and doesn't rule out future surgery. Studies conducted at Mayo and other centers in the early 1990s showed that symptoms improved in almost 70 percent of men who received Prostatron treatment. Some men were still problem-free four years later. Unfortunately, not all men can undergo Prostatron treatment, Igel says.