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Water Vapour Therapy

Water Vapour Therapy is a minimally invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate gland1

How does Water Vapour Therapy treat an enlarged prostate?

Water Vapour Therapy utilises the natural energy of steam to target the excess prostate tissue that causes the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. The steam is directly injected into the prostate tissue leading to cell death.1-5

How is the steam delivered to the prostate?
The urologist inserts the device through the urethra and injects a small amount of steam into the affected areas of the prostate in controlled 9-second doses.1-5

What happens to the prostate during the treatment?

The steam that is injected into the prostate tissue is rapidly dispersed through the space between the tissue cells within the prostate. As the steam cools, it condenses immediately on contact with the tissue and the stored energy is released, leading to cell death, which ultimately reduces the volume of prostate tissue.1-5

Is Water Vapour Therapy suitable for me?
The procedure could be performed in one visit and may be suitable if you want to:

•  Preserve your sexual function 6

•  Increase urinary flow 6

•  Refrain from more invasive surgery 6

•  Move away from long-term medications7

 

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Learn about the experience of someone who chose Water Vapour Therapy:
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Download our patient discussion guide

Water Vapour Therapy is backed by clinical evidence

Is Water Vapour Therapy effective?

Water Vapour Therapy has demonstrated effective symptom relief over a five-year follow-up period.6

With many patients experiencing noticeable improvement as early as two weeks, and by 3 months, symptoms like urinary dripping, incomplete bladder emptying and problems with urination noticeably improve as the tissue shrinks.*8 Symptom improvement for up to five years.6

Are there any side effects of Water Vapour Therapy?

As with any clinical procedure, Water Vapour Therapy carries potential risks.

These may include:3

  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder
  • Painful or frequent urination
  • Presence of blood in the urine or semen
  • Decreased ejaculatory volume
  • Urinary tract infection (UTI)

It is crucial to discuss the benefits and risks associated with all treatment options with your doctor.

* Patients' responses vary based on individual factors.

Learn how Water Vapour Therapy works3

Frequently asked questions

Clinical studies show that many men living with benign prostate enlargement can experience symptom relief with Water Vapour Therapy.6 It's a versatile treatment that works for a wide range of patients, especially those wanting to preserve their sexual function.4,7

Most individuals will experience symptom relief within 3 months after the procedure and most individuals return to regular activities within a few days.6 It is important to remember, however, that patient responses vary depending on the individual.

Recovery can vary from person to person; however, an overnight stay in hospital is unlikely. Usually, patients treated with Water Vapour Therapy can leave the hospital the same day, but this might depend on regional regulations.9

It is recommended to consult with your doctor before making any changes to the dosage of any current medications.8

Research shows treatment with Water Vapour Therapy provides significant and sustained symptom relief of benign prostatic hyperplasia symptom relief that last up to 5 years after your treatment.6

Water Vapour Therapy is considered minimally invasive, as access is gained through the urethra, which can result in fewer side effects (vs common surgical procedures) that may impact life post treatment and sexual function preservation.6,10

Clinical evidence demonstrates that Water Vapour Therapy preserves sexual function. In a five-year study and a post-hoc analysis,* there were no reports of de novo device** or procedure-related erectile dysfunction.6,11 You should always consult your physician about your individual health situation.

*post-hoc analysis:  Analysis that is done years after receiving the treatment

**novo device: An alternative means of classifying low- to moderate-risk devices.

References​

  1. 1.Westwood J, Geraghty R, Jones P, et al. Rezum: a new transurethral Water Vapour Therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Ther Adv Urol. 2018;10(11):327–333
  1. 2.​Gravas S, Cornu JN, Gacci M, et al. EAU guidelines on management of non-neurogenic male LUTS. March 2023. Available at: https://uroweb.org/guidelines/management-of-non-neurogenic-male-luts. [Accessed September 2023].
  1. 3.​Rezum. Directions for Use.
  1. ​4.Mynderse LA, Hanson D, Robb RA, et al. Rezūm System water vapor treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia: validation of convective thermal energy transfer and characterization with magnetic resonance imaging and 3-dimensional renderings. Urology. 2015 Jul;86(1):122-7. ​
  1. 5.Dixon C, Cedano ER, Pacik D, Vit V, Varga G, Wagrell L, Tornblom M, Mynderse L, Larson T. Efficacy and Safety of Rezūm System Water Vapor Treatment for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Urology. 2015 Nov;86(5):1042-7. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2015.05.046. Epub 2015 Jul 26. PMID: 26216644.​
  1. 6.McVary KT, Gange SN, Gittelman MC, et al. Minimally Invasive Prostate Convective Water Vapor Energy Ablation: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Study for the Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. J Urol. 2016 May;195(5):1529‐38.​
  1. 7.Gupta N, Rogers T, Holland B, et al. Three-year treatment outcomes of water vapor thermal therapy (Rezūm System) compared to doxazosin, finasteride and combination drug therapy for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: cohort data from the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) Trial. J Urol. 2018 Aug;200(2):405-13.
  1. 8.​McVary KT, Rogers T, Roehrborn CG. Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: 4-year results from randomized controlled study. Urology. 2019;126:171–179.​
  1. 9.NICE. Rezum for treating lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. [Medical technologies guidance 49]. 24 June 2020. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg49. [Accessed September 2023].
  1. ​10.Rijo E, Hindley R, Tabatabaei S, et al. Minimally invasive surgery for benign prostatic obstruction: new insights and future technical standards. Curr Opin Urol. 2021;31(5):461–467.
  1. ​11.McVary, Al-Arabi A, Roehrborn C, et al. Preservation of sexual function 5 years after water vapor thermal therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Sex Med. 2021;9(6):100454.​

​The Rezūm System is intended to relieve symptoms, obstructions, and reduce prostate tissue associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It is indicated for men with a prostate volume 30cm3. The Rezūm System is also indicated for treatment of prostate with hyperplasia of the central zone and/or a median lobe.  Potential risks associated with Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy include but are not limited to dysuria, hematuria, hematospermia, decrease in ejaculatory volume, suspected urinary tract infection (UTI), urinary frequency, and retention or urgency.​​

The GreenLight™ laser system is intended for incision/excision, vaporization, ablation, hemostasis, and coagulation of soft tissue, including photoselective vaporization of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The laser system is contraindicated for patients who: are contraindicated for surgery, contraindicated where appropriate anesthesia is contraindicated by patient history, have calcified tissue, require hemostasis in >2mm vessels, have uncontrolled bleeding disorders, have prostate cancer, have acute urinary tract infection (UTI), or severe urethral stricture.Possible risks and complications include, but are not limited to, irritative symptoms (dysuria, urgency, frequency), retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, hematuria - gross, UTI, bladder neck contracture/outlet obstruct, urinary retention, perforation - prostate, urethral stricture.​​.

The Lumenis Pulse 120H System  is intended to relieve symptoms and obstructions and reduce prostate tissue associated with BPH  It is contraindicated for patients who are unable to receive endoscopic treatments or are intolerant to prolonged anesthesia, as well as for resection or excision of large vascularized organs.  Holmium lasers are intended solely for use by physicians trained in the use of the Ho:YAG (2.1 μm) wavelength.  Incorrect treatment settings can cause serious tissue damage.  The laser should be used only on tissues that are fully observable.  Possible risks and complications include, but are not limited to, irritative symptoms (dysuria, urgency, frequency), retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, hematuria - gross, UTI, bladder neck contracture/outlet obstruct, urinary retention, perforation - prostate, urethral stricture. You should talk with your doctor about benefits and risks before moving forward with any treatment option.​​

Boston Scientific acquired the global surgical business of Lumenis Ltd. Some registered names of products manufactured and sold by Boston Scientific may contain the term “Lumenis”. Lumenis is a registered trademark of Lumenis Be.​​

MyProstateInfo.co.uk is a website sponsored by Boston Scientific.​​This material is for informational purposes only and not meant for medical diagnosis.

This information does not constitute medical or legal advice, and Boston Scientific makes no representation regarding the medical benefits included in this information. Boston Scientific strongly recommends that you consult with your physician on all matters pertaining to your health.

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