Economics of transurethral thermotherapy of the prostate

Abstract

Costs of BPH management is increasing dramatically and may represent as much as 1% of total National Health Service expenditure. It is important to offer the patients effeective treatment and to offer the society cost-effective treatment. The ideal cost-effectiveness or cost-utility analysis includes not only evaluation of outcome but also socioeconomic and intangible costs (“quality of life” costs). Studies on economics of the newer less invasive treatment modalities for BPH such as transurethral microwave thermotherapy of the prostate (TUMT) are scarce. Parameters important in the consideration of economy in TUMT are capital and disposable costs, retreatment rate and discount percentage. More studies are needed to make precise cost estimations for TUMT, but at present, TUMT seems comparable to TURP in cost-effectiveness.