New Procedure Looks Promising for Men With Enlarged Prostates

[Nelson Vergel]

This is very interesting! Has anyone used this therapy?


A minimally invasive procedure designed to shrink prostate tissue with a series of nine-second blasts of steam offers men a new treatment for urinary symptoms commonly associated with enlarged prostates.

The procedure, called Rezūm (pronounced “resume”) and developed by NxThera Inc. of Maple Grove, Minn., became widely available in the U.S. in the second half of 2016. Thermal energy in the form of steam is applied to the prostate with a needle. As it cools it releases heat energy into the tissue, killing cells and shrinking the prostate overall by about a third, says Bob Paulson, NxThera's chief executive.

Some 50% of men over the age of 50 have enlarged prostates, which can produce symptoms such as increased urgency to urinate during the day and frequent urination, which disrupts sleep at night. Sufferers often must choose between surgery or medication, both of which have side effects, including sexual dysfunction.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-pr...ng-for-men-with-enlarged-prostates-1492999500

 

[DrRotman]

This is very interesting! Has anyone used this therapy?


A minimally invasive procedure designed to shrink prostate tissue with a series of nine-second blasts of steam offers men a new treatment for urinary symptoms commonly associated with enlarged prostates.

The procedure, called Rezūm (pronounced “resume”) and developed by NxThera Inc. of Maple Grove, Minn., became widely available in the U.S. in the second half of 2016. Thermal energy in the form of steam is applied to the prostate with a needle. As it cools it releases heat energy into the tissue, killing cells and shrinking the prostate overall by about a third, says Bob Paulson, NxThera's chief executive.

Some 50% of men over the age of 50 have enlarged prostates, which can produce symptoms such as increased urgency to urinate during the day and frequent urination, which disrupts sleep at night. Sufferers often must choose between surgery or medication, both of which have side effects, including sexual dysfunction.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-pr...ng-for-men-with-enlarged-prostates-1492999500

​I have performed about 30 of these procedures here in the New York area. For the appropriate patient, this has produced fantastic results. I was skeptical at first, but now realize the science behind it really works.

 

[NMurthi]

DrRotman:
What are the criteria used to determine the appropriate patient for this procedure?

 

[DrRotman]

DrRotman:
What are the criteria used to determine the appropriate patient for this procedure?

Size of the prostate, length of the prostate, size of the median lobe. One has to remember this is a minimally invasive procedure, thus people with severe obstruction may not be candidates.

 

[BryanW]

Could this be used to treat an infection in the prostate? That is, could the steam dissolve stones and could antibodies also be injected?

 

[DrRotman]

Could this be used to treat an infection in the prostate? That is, could the steam dissolve stones and could antibodies also be injected?

Not at this time. The company is doing some studies to use this technology to treat prostate cancer but that is still in its infancy.