About Radio Frequency Therapy

Many men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) don’t want to take medication every day. Yet they also don’t want to risk the incontinence and impotence that can result from surgery. Radio frequency (RF) therapy is a safe, convenient alternative that has been shown in clinical studies to reduce many symptoms of BPH for up to 5 years.^1,2

At some point, you may decide you no longer want to take daily BPH medication, but you also don’t want to risk the potential side effects of invasive surgery for your enlarged prostate. Medtronic’s pioneering Prostiva^® RF therapy offers a safe alternative that reduces frequent urination and other BPH symptoms for up to 5 years.^1-3 Treatment with Prostiva is associated with few side effects and adverse events.

What Is It?

If you have an enlarged prostate, excess prostate tissue may “squeeze” your urethra. This can cause uncomfortable and inconvenient urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, a sudden need to urinate, or straining. Radio frequency therapy (RF therapy) uses low-level radio frequency energy to destroy excess prostate tissue, allowing you to urinate more normally.

RF therapy is a safe, single-event treatment for BPH. This minimally-invasive BPH treatment can be performed in your doctor’s office. There’s no hospital stay, and no need for general anesthesia.
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Our Radio Frequency Product

The Prostiva RF Therapy System uses low-level radio frequency energy to destroy excess prostate tissue, which may allow you to urinate more normally.
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Benefits and Risks

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.
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Questions and Answers

Find answers to your questions about RF therapy, including information to help you talk to your doctor about treatment options for your urinary problems due to an enlarged prostate.
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Personal Stories

Read about the experiences of people who have received our therapy. You’ll learn first-hand what life was like for these particular patients, both before and after treatment.
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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.)
In November 2005, the Food and Drug Administration granted 510K clearance for Prostiva RF Therapy stating that it is substantially equivalent to TUNA^® Therapy. This document refers to data gathered using any one of several previous models of Medtronic's RF therapy equipment.

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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: 3 Aug 2008