Benefits and Risks – Radio Frequency Therapy

RF therapy can offer long-lasting results for up to 5 years, including improved flow of urine and relief of BPH symptoms with few reports of sexual side effects like impotence and abnormal ejaculation.^1,2 At some point, you may decide to no longer take daily medication and your doctor may recommend RF therapy to treat your enlarged prostate symptoms.

Benefits

RF therapy offers several advantages over other treatments:

Improves the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) for up to 5 years^1,2
Takes about an hour (with some additional preparation and recovery time required)³
Can be done in ambulatory setting³ and performed with local anaesthesia only (only the affected area is numbed)⁴
Lets you get back to many of your normal activities within a day or two⁴

Risks

RF therapy is used to treat urinary symptoms due to uncomplicated BPH. The procedure is associated with few side effects and adverse events.^1,2

RF therapy is available by prescription only. This therapy is not for everyone. Possible side effects include obstruction (blockage), urinary retention, bleeding, blood in urine, pain/discomfort, urgency to urinate, increased urinary frequency, and urinary tract infection.

If you are not able to urinate following the procedure, your doctor may insert a catheter to make sure you can empty your bladder. Most people do not need a catheter. When needed, the catheter is usually removed within 1 to 3 days.

You may also experience a minor burning sensation when urinating for 1 to 2 weeks following the treatment. Talk to your doctor to see if RF therapy is right for you.

References

Hill B, Belville W, Bruskewitz R, Issa M, Perez-Marrero R, Roehrborn C, Terris M, Naslund M. Transurethral needle ablation versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: 5-year results of a prospective, randomized, multi-center clinical trial. J Urol 2004 Jun; 171; 2336-2340. (In this study of 65 patients, 13 were evaluated 5 years after RF therapy. Only 14% of 65 patients needed further treatment for BPH symptoms and went on to have surgery (TURP).)
Zlotta A, Giannapolous X, Maehlum O, Ostrem T, Schulman C. Long-term evaluation of transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) of the prostate for treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: clinical outcomes up to five years from three centers. Eur Urol 2003; 44:89-93. (In this study of 188 patients, 121 were evaluated 5 years after RF therapy. More than 75% did not need additional treatment for BPH symptoms.)
Campo B, Bergamaschi F, Corrad P, Ordesi G. Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA) of the prostate: A clinical and urodynamic evaluation. Urol 1997; 49:847-850.
Prostiva RF Therapy System User Guide Clinical Data. Safety information from System User Guide.

Next: Getting Radio Frequency Therapy

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

Last updated: 16 Mar 2009