Urology Hospital Pretoria among first in SA to offer latest technology in BPH – Hope to SA men

Worldwide approx. 50% of men aged 51-60 and up and 70% of men aged 60-69 have Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), reveals Yale Medicine research. In SA, an estimated 50% of men aged 60 have symptomatic BPH with an annual increase in the number of black men affected.

This condition, of prostate gland enlargement, affects 94 million men over 40 worldwide and is an escalating urological health problem.

Ageing men face increased health costs and decreased quality of life due to clinical BPH, one of the most common diseases experienced. However, a five-year trial of Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy successfully demonstrated it can treat BPH symptoms without invasive surgery, drugs or any side effects.

“The procedure is done as a day case, meaning no overnight stay in hospital and preserves sexual function in up to 90% of cases unlike many other therapies, allowing the patient to get back to their normal daily activities much quicker”, said The Urology Hospital urologist Dr Marinka Hoek.

Early in the year, Dr Hoek successfully completed the hospital’s first Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy procedure, a minimally invasive treatment for BPH. This marks the Urology Hospital’s pioneering role as one of the first hospitals in South Africa to offer this treatment.

During each treatment, sterile water vapor is released throughout the targeted prostate tissue. When the steam contacts the enlarged prostate tissue, all the stored energy is released into the tissue. Most patients begin to experience symptom relief as soon as two weeks after the treatment. Over time, the body’s natural healing response absorbs the treated tissue, shrinking the prostate. With the extra tissue removed, the urethra opens, reducing BPH symptoms and allowing the patient to have a better quality of life.

For many men BPH can cause uncomfortable symptoms that affects their daily lives, including:

• Frequent or painful urination.
• Difficulty in initiating urination.
• Weak urine flow.
• Post-urination dribbling.
• Urinary urgency.
• Incomplete bladder emptying, which can lead to urinary tract infections (UTI).

The treatment is currently only available for cash/private paying patients or through a pilot study conducted by Discovery Health. The pilot study was launched recently at three hospitals across the country, including the Urology Hospital in Gauteng, where Dr Hoek and Dr Johan Mouton are offering the Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy procedure to holders of Discovery Health Medical plans (excluding Key Care), as well as private patients.

“We are looking forward to seeing the positive impact that Rezūm Water Vapour Therapy will have on our patients’ quality of life. We are committed to providing the highest level of care”, said Dr Hoek.

For more information contact The Urology Hospital on 012 423 4000 or email lebom@urology.co.za.