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UCOF
Patient Education |
TUNA
(Transurethral Needle
Ablation)
TUNA Therapy is an office-based procedure that destroys excess
prostate tissue, which may improve urination. TUNA Therapy, which usually
takes 12 minutes, requires no anesthesia, and allows you to return to many
of your normal activities within 24-48 hours. TUNA Therapy is covered by
Medicare. In the TUNA procedure, obstructive prostate tissue is destroyed
(ablated) using radio-frequency (RF) energy. Only the obstructive tissue is
destroyed. The urethra and the rest of the prostate remain intact as before.
Clinical studies have demonstrated that treatment with the TUNA system
offers improved urine flow, excellent symptom relief and few side effects
and adverse events when compared to traditional surgical treatment. In
addition, in the clinical trials, there were no reports of incontinence.
TUNA Therapy has been available for over 7 years.
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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and
the TUNA Therapy Treatment
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below
the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is normally small in size,
about the size and shape of a chestnut. The prostate wraps around a tube called
the urethra. The urethra carries urine from the bladder out through the prostate
and then the penis. The prostate is mostly made up of muscular and glandular
tissues. Its function is to produce and deposit some of the enzymes, proteins
and sugars into the fluid of the ejaculate or semen. These substances help to
protect and nourish sperm. During the male orgasm (climax), muscular
contractions squeeze the prostate's fluid into the urethra. Sperm, which are
produced in the testicles, are also propelled into the urethra during orgasm.
The sperm-containing semen leaves the penis during ejaculation.
An exclusively male organ, the development of the prostate is spurred by male
hormones (especially testosterone). The rate of prostate growth decreases and
may stop around age 20. A second growth period often occurs around age 45, as
cells in the middle of the prostate start to reproduce more rapidly than normal.
This growth may result in an enlarged prostate, years later.
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The Tuna
Procedure
The TUNA procedure itself takes
just twelve minutes. During the preparation the patient is given a local
anesthetic into the urethra and the bladder as well as prostrate block. An
instrument is then passed into the prostate and a small needle is placed into
the obstructing prostate tissue. The needle emits radio-frequency (RF) energy,
heating the prostate. This results in destruction (ablation) of the obstructive
prostate tissue. This therapy is intended to destroy only the obstructive
tissue. The urethra and the rest of the prostate remain intact.
If you are not able to urinate
after the procedure, the doctor may send you home with a catheter (a small tube
attached to a urine collection bag). There is virtually no discomfort post-TUNA.
Patients are able to return to their many of their normal activities within
24-48 hours. A patient will usually notice improvement within 2-6 weeks.
However, results may vary depending on the size of the prostate treated.
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