Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

Several weeks may pass before you see a noticeable improvement in your urinary symptoms. It can take a few months for some men to notice significant improvement. That's because your body needs time to break down and absorb prostate tissue that has been destroyed.

Some men who have TUNA will eventually need additional procedures for enlarged prostate. More studies are needed to determine the overall, long-term effectiveness of TUNA compared with other procedures.

After TUNA, it's important to have a digital rectal exam once a year to check your prostate and screen for prostate cancer, as you would normally. If you notice any worsening urinary symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor.

References
  1. Fitzpatrick JM, et al. Minimally invasive and endoscopic management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/125743340-3/0/1445/91.html?tocnode=54305416&fromURL=91.html. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
  2. Guideline on the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Linthicum, MD. American Urological Association. http://www.auanet.org/content/guidelines-and-quality-care/clinical-guidelines.cfm?sub=bph. Accessed Jan. 27, 2011.
  3. d'Ancona FC. Nonablative minimally invasive thermal therapies in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Current Opinion in Urology. 2008;18:21.
  4. Han M. Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.  http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50090-X--cesec17&isbn=978-0-7216-0798-6&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50090-X--cesec17&uniqId=239958488-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50090-X--cesec17. Accessed Jan. 2, 2011.
  5. Cunningham GR, et al. Surgical and other invasive therapies of benign prostatic hyperplasia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 2, 2011.
MY00608 May 11, 2011

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger