FAQ
CoreTherm® provides same symptom relief as surgery (TURP) and is associated with fewer serious risks and is easier for the patient. It can be carried out in an outpatient setting and requires no hospitalisation.
CoreTherm® is a non-surgical treatment that uses heat to remove the extra tissue that obstructs urine flow. In medical literature, CoreTherm® treatment is often referred to as TUMT (Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy).
Under the Swedish Health and Medical Services Act, everyone has the right to receive CoreTherm® thermal treatment, even if their home hospital cannot offer this type of procedure. CoreTherm® is available at several clinics in Sweden and the rest of the Nordic region. If there are no clinics close to you in Sweden, you have the right to request treatment from another care provider, paid by your county council via a so-called national contract referral. It is important to have the right diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, discuss the available treatment options with your doctor. CoreTherm® may be a suitable option.
With the local anaesthesia, most people do not find the treatment painful, but it is common to feel temporary discomfort and an urge to go to the toilet (referred to as urinary urgency). The level of pain or discomfort is completely individual, so it is important to let your doctor know if you feel any pain or discomfort during treatment.
It is not uncommon to be prescribed antibiotics while using a catheter. In the days following treatment, some patients may need painkillers. Talk to your urologist about what applies in your case. Over time, you will not need to take any medications after a CoreTherm® treatment.
After the procedure you will need some kind of relief during the healing process. Usually an indwelling catheter will be inserted but there are other options such as CoreFlow® Soft Stent. Patients normally need a catheter for about 3–6 weeks. Your doctor determines how long you need to use the catheter.
Some patients do not feel anything after the procedure, but it is not uncommon to feel a frequent urge to urinate. This occurs because the prostate has been irritated and there is swelling. It will decrease over time. For some patients, the frequent urges are severe, particularly the first day after the procedure. They will decrease as the swelling goes down and ultimately stop completely. Ask your doctor if you need painkillers and/or medicines to relieve the urge.
CoreTherm® is a one-time treatment for majority of patients. There is gradual improvement over the first few months after treatment. It can take up to six months to experience the full effect of treatment. Have patience. It usually takes some time before full effect of the treatment is seen.
Yes. The procedure itself takes about less than 15 minutes and you can usually go home immediately afterwards.
No. CoreTherm® is performed under local anaesthesia. You will be given painkillers and medicine to help you relax, if needed. You will remain awake during the procedure so you will be able to tell the doctor and nurse how you are feeling.
Before undergoing CoreTherm® treatment, a urologist must examine you to make sure that your problems are being caused by BPE and not something else. This examination usually includes elements such as a questionnaire, measurement of urine flow, ultrasound examination of the prostate and a palpation of the prostate via the rectum. A PSA test and, if necessary, an investigation to rule out prostate cancer may be important prior to CoreTherm® treatment.
Most patients who have been diagnosed with BPE can be treated with CoreTherm® since it does not require general anaesthesia or hospitalisation. But there are exceptions. Discuss this with your doctor.
BPE has been treated with similar methods since the early 1990s and CoreTherm®, as the treatment is performed today, was established in 2004.
The treatment is given through a catheter via the urethra. This catheter contains an antenna that radiates heat. The prostate tissue closest to the urethra is heated to temperatures that the cells/tissue dies. It is important to reach the right temperature to ensure the treatment is as effective as possible and urine flow is restored.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. The treatment is performed in an outpatient setting at a regular medical centre and takes less than 15 minutes. You can normally go home immediately after the procedure. After treatment, you will need to use an indwelling catheter or a CoreFlow® Soft Stent for usually 3–6 weeks.