There’s good news for men with enlarged prostates (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH). The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra (the tube used to urinate). As men age, this gland keeps growing causing urinary problems. Kansas City Urology and Oncology is offering three new non-surgery options for treatment. Rezūm and UroLift are both procedures that involve moving the prostate away from the urethra to allow urine to flow freely, but they are very different treatments. The third treatment, Aquablation Therapy, actually removes prostate tissue with a heat-free water jet. Learn about all three options here and then talk with your urologist to decide which one might be best for you.
Rezūm Uses Steam to Shrink Prostate Tissue
Rezūm is a minimally invasive procedure, which uses hot steam to reduce the enlarged part of the prostate responsible for urinary obstruction. Steam denatures the protein structure of the enlarged prostate causing it to shrink away from the urethra, thus relieving the blockage. For more information, you can watch this video about Rezūm therapy. This therapy treats the cause, not just the symptoms and it minimizes the negative effect on surrounding tissue so it preserves sexual and urinary functions and you can quickly resume normal activities.
UroLift Implants Physically Hold Prostate Tissue Back
With UroLift, permanent implants hold the prostate tissue out of the way so it no longer blocks the urethra – much the same way tiebacks hold window curtains back – so urine can now flow freely. The UroLift procedure requires no cutting, heating or tissue removal. It’s a simple mechanical answer to a mechanical problem. Get more details in this video explanation. The really good news is that UroLift avoids erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. The procedure is best for those with moderate-sized prostate glands. It is less well suited to those with very large glands, small glands, or median lobes (prostate extension into the bladder).
Aquablation Therapy
Aquablation Therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for BPH that uses imaging, robotics, and a heat-free water jet to provide long-lasting relief with low rates of complications. This new treatment offers several advantages. First, by using two types of imaging, your surgeon can see your entire prostate. Additionally, robotics and advanced computer software allow the surgeon to create a personalized treatment plan before surgery begins. Finally, the heat-free water jet allows the surgeon to remove the excess prostate tissue precisely and more safely than with other methods that use heat.
Clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers significant symptom relief and low rates of irreversible complications across prostates of all sizes and shapes. Most men retain urination, erection, and ejaculation function.
Now You Have 3 Non-Surgical Treatment Options for BPH
All treatments offer promising results with few side effects. If you’ve been suffering from an enlarged prostate, your medication isn’t working, or the side effects from your medication are interfering with your quality of life, now there are better alternatives than surgery.