What Is Radio Frequency Therapy?

In the past 10 years, more than 100,000 men worldwide have chosen RF therapy to treat their enlarged prostate without invasive surgery or daily medications.¹

In clinical studies, RF therapy has been shown to provide effective, long-term relief of urinary symptoms due to enlarged prostate for up to 5 years.^2,3

As the prostate grows later in life, excess prostate tissue may “squeeze” your urethra. RF therapy uses low-level radio frequency energy to destroy excess prostate tissue. This may improve urination and give you relief of urinary symptoms. The procedure leaves the urethra and the rest of the prostate unaffected.

 

View an Animation of How RF Therapy Works

Watch Urologist James Young, MD, Explain RF Therapy

The procedure can be done during a single office visit of about an hour, plus some additional preparation and recovery time.⁴ You can return to most of your normal activities within 2 to 3 days.⁵

If you are looking for alternatives to daily BPH medications or invasive surgery, RF therapy may be right for you.

References

1. 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).)
2. 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.
3. 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.)
4. Prostiva RF Therapy System User Guide Clinical Data. Safety information from System User Guide.
5. 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.

 

Section Navigation

• About Radio Frequency Therapy
• What Is It?
• Our Radio Frequency Therapy
  • RF Therapy
• Benefits and Risks
• Question and Answers

• Personal Stories

Additional information