Oncology, urology  

Photoselective vaporisation of the prostate shown to be effective treatment

28 September 2005

San Jose, Calif. USA. A study on the long-term outcomes of men treated with photoselective vaporisation of the prostate (PVP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) using the Laserscope GreenLight (TM) laser system has shown significant and sustainable improvements in the outcomes of patients.

The study, conducted at the Mayo Clinic by Dr. Reza Malek, was published in the October 2005 issue of the Journal of Urology.

Long-term study methodology and results

The Mayo Clinic study evaluated 94 patients suffering from obstructive BPH who were treated with PVP using Laserscope's GreenLight (TM) laser system and disposable fibre optic delivery devices. All of the patients studied were candidates for standard transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and exhibited significant obstructive urinary tract symptoms.

"The results of our study demonstrate significant and sustainable improvements in the outcomes of patients suffering from obstructive BPH," said Dr. Reza S. Malek, lead author of the study and Professor Emeritus of Urology who pioneered and performed PVP in this cohort of patients at the Mayo Clinic. "Given that PVP has a well established record for safety, low morbidity and rapid recovery, we are very pleased to reinforce its contribution as an effective, long-term treatment solution for many men suffering from obstructive BPH."

"Until now, the medical community did not have peer-reviewed follow-up data at these time frames for patients who had been treated with PVP. This study validates our strong belief that the procedure is a viable treatment option for sufferers of BPH that provides long-lasting, positive results," said Eric Reuter, President and Chief Executive Officer of Laserscope. "There is no other technology that we are aware of for treating BPH that can demonstrate these kinds of clinical outcomes, speed, and safety profile with this kind of durability. PVP is quickly becoming the treatment of choice because it is safe and effective, and we now have additional evidence that PVP provides lasting relief from the symptoms related to BPH."

National Heal BPH initiative launched

In conjunction with the publication of this important study, Laserscope and the Men's Health Network today announced the "Heal BPH" initiative to provide men with in-depth information about BPH including symptoms, causes and diagnosis, treatment options, frequently asked questions, physician locator and other informative resources. Additional information and timely topics will be explored, including the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and other medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes), and lower urinary tract symptoms, which are often caused by BPH. The initiative will also include seminars held in major cities throughout the country.

"We're pleased that Laserscope has chosen to partner with the Men's Health Network to help increase the understanding and awareness of BPH among men and their partners," said Cece Dorough, MSW and Marketing Manager of the Men's Health Network. "The 'Heal BPH' campaign is in alignment with our mission to improve the health and wellness of men by linking them to the best health care resources available."

The initiative was developed in consultation with Dr. Kevin Billups, MD, an internationally recognized expert in the fields of Urology and Sexual Health, and author of a soon-to-be published book on Erectile Dysfunction as an early indicator of cardiovascular disease and other medical problems related to men's health.

"The 'Heal BPH' initiative presented an excellent opportunity to expand the dialogue surrounding the role that conditions such as BPH and ED play in our evolving understanding of cardiovascular disease," said Dr. Billups. "This campaign is meant to empower men with the information needed to better understand and deal with the long-term implications of BPH and erectile difficulty for their overall cardiovascular health."

"Heal BPH" campaign materials and resources are available online at www.healbph.com or in the USA patients can speak directly to a "Heal BPH" representative at 1-866-HEAL BPH.

About BPH and the GreenLight Laser System

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that restricts urine flow. With age and time, this enlargement places pressure on the urethra, causing problems with urination and in some cases, complete urinary pathway obstruction. It is estimated that half of all men over the age of 50 will develop this condition and by the age of 70, 80% will experience some form of urinary symptoms.

Laserscope's GreenLight (TM) laser system is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a high-powered laser to vaporize and remove enlarged prostate tissue. To date, more than 90,000 PVP procedures have been successfully performed worldwide.

About The Men's Health Network

Men's Health Network (MHN) is a non-profit educational organization comprised of physicians, researchers, public health workers, individuals and other health professionals. MHN is committed to improving the health and wellness of men through education campaigns, partnerships with retailers and other private entities, workplace health programs, data collection, and work with health care providers to provide better programs and funding for men's health needs.

More information about the Men's Health Network can be found at  www.menshealthnetwork.org

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