Comparative study between the use of a treatment with hyperthermia through the rectal approach versus the urethral approach for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

200 patients suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia were treated with hyperthermia: 100 cases through the rectal approach and 100 through the urethral approach. Subjective symptoms were assessed as well as nycturia and objective data, urinary flow and postmicturition residue before treatment and 6 months after treatment. In the group of 100 patients treated rectally, the subjective symptoms and nycturia improved in 76; urine flow improved in 63, postmicturition residue decreased in 32 and the vesical catheter could be removed in 5 out of 8 patients. With the urethral approach, 77 patients out of 100 presented an improvement in their symptoms, nycturia improved in 53; urine flow improved in 28; the urine residue was decreased in 40 and the vesical catheter could be removed in 10 out of 16 patients who required it previously. Although slightly better results seem to be achieved with the use of rectal hyperthermia, as concerns nycturia and micturition flow, we prefer the urethral approach for its higher degree of convenience, easier handling, shorter time of treatment and reasonable effectiveness.