Optilume for BPH
19 September 2024 2024-09-26 3:25Optilume for BPH

Optilume for BPH
Our Approach to Optilume®
As men age, it’s common to encounter prostate enlargement, leading to a condition known as BPH. The prostate surrounds the tube responsible for transporting urine and semen, know as the urethra. With BPH, as the prostate grows larger, it exerts pressure on the urethra, potentially causing interruptions in the natural flow of urine.
Most men prefer a BPH treatment option that avoids lifelong daily medications, their side effects, or invasive surgery. The Optilume® BPH Catheter System revolutionizes the treatment paradigm by providing immediate and durable symptom relief for men experiencing BPH induced lower urinary tract symptoms.
This minimally invasive surgical therapy combines mechanical dilation with concurrent localized delivery of paclitaxel for treating BPH. Mechanical dilation with the proprietary double-lobe balloon technology achieves an anterior commissurotomy (split) releasing the constricting lateral lobes, while the delivery of paclitaxel prevents re-fusion of the lobes and maintains patency during healing.
What We Offer You With Optilume Treatment
Multi-disciplinary team of specialist experts
Personalized continuum of care
New, modern facility
What Is Optilume?

About Optilume
Recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Optilume is a unique MIST that combines mechanical dilation using a proprietary double-lobe balloon with concurrent localized delivery of paclitaxel for the treatment of LUTS secondary to BΡΗ.
Mechanical dilation with Optilume achieves an anterior commissurotomy, while delivery of paclitaxel is intended to maintain luminal patency during healing.
Optilume is the first combination drug and device therapy offering the highest clinically reported flow rates of any minimal invasive therapy with immediate and sustained improvement in IPSS symptom scores.
Several benefits include:
- Quick and easy procedure performed in-office (no hospital visit required)
- Minimally invasive and reversible
- Long-term symptom relief
- No permanent implant
- No cutting, burning, or steaming to remove prostate tissue
- Minimal side effects or risks of complications
Conditions Treated with Optilume
As men* age, it’s common to encounter prostate enlargement, leading to a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). In fact, BPH affects 70% of men 60-69 years of age and 80% of those 70 years of age or older(1). The prostate surrounds the tube responsible for transporting urine and semen, known as the urethra. With BPH, as the prostate grows larger, it exerts pressure on the urethra, potentially causing interruptions in the natural flow of urine.
Risks of Optilume
It is possible for some patients to experience discomfort or pain during the procedure, particularly if the catheter is inflated too tightly. Patients may also experience bleeding or bruising in the urethra or the surrounding tissue, which typically resolves on its own. In rare cases, urinary tract infections (UTI) following the procedure may occur.
What to Expect with Optilume
Before the Procedure:
- Patients will be evaluated using standard methods as per urological society guidelines which may include review of medical history, physical exam, completion of validated questionnaires, uroflow studies and volumetric assessment.
- We also obtain a prostatic urethral length through transrectal ultrasound for surgical planning.
- The patient is positioned in dorsal lithotomy and prepped and draped in usual fashion for rigid or flexible cystoscopy.
During the Procedure:
- The procedure is quick and simple. The duration of the procedure should last around 15 to 20 minutes.
- The Optilume procedure is performed with light sedation and local anesthesia.
- Firstly, the patient lies on their back with their legs in stirrups. The catheter is then inserted into the urethra up to the location of the prostate.
- Once the catheter is set in place, a cylindrical balloon is inflated to press against the prostate tissue, creating a passageway for urine to flow through. As the balloon expands, it creates micro fissures in the tissue.
- The coating of the balloon releases a therapeutic medication directly onto the fissured tissue. This medication reduces cell proliferation and fibrotic scar tissue generation, which helps relieve urinary obstruction and improves the flow of urine.
After the Procedure:
- After 2 to 3 days of the foley catheter left in-situ, the patient returns for a trial of void.
- Start medications prescribed by your physician immediately after treatment
- Call your physician if you experience significant pain or bleeding.
- Seek medical care such as fever, intractable nausea/pain or clot retention.
- Usually, you can resume normal activities within a few days.
- Patients can expect to see an immediate improvement in their urinary flow following catheter removal.
- You will start to experience improvement in your symptoms over 6 to 12 weeks following the procedure.
- Optilume BPH contains the drug paclitaxel, which may be present in your urine and semen for up to 6 months after treatment. Patients should be counselled to abstain from sexual activity or wear a condom for the first 30 days after treatment to avoid exposing their partner to the drug.
- Postpone sexual activity or use highly effective contraception with sexual partners that could become pregnant for at least 6 months after treatment with Optilume to avoid potential risks to a fetus.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
What is BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, which can lead to urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, weak urine flow, and incomplete bladder emptying.
While benign prostatic hyperplasia itself is not considered dangerous, it can cause bothersome urinary symptoms and, in some cases, lead to complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or kidney damage if left untreated.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia occurs due to the natural aging process and hormonal changes, particularly an increase in levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
Is BPH treatable?
Yes, benign prostatic hyperplasia is treatable. There are various treatment options available, ranging from medication to minimally invasive procedures and surgery. Optilume® BPH Catheter System is a minimally invasive procedure with quick recovery time, and immediate symptom relief that is durable.
What is Optilume?
Optilume is a new, innovative minimally invasive treatment option for both BPH and urethral strictures.
Who may benefit from Optilume?
Optilume is a procedure for men who desire a minimally invasive option to treat their symptoms of BPH. It provides men relief for urinary symptoms and urethral strictures.
Optilume is an attractive option for physicians and patients looking to maintain sexual function while achieving durable symptom relief and improved flow. It is also a good option for men who do not wish to undergo surgery or take medication.
Why is Optilume an important option?
The FDA-approved Optilume BPH Catheter System revolutionizes the treatment paradigm by providing immediate and durable symptom relief for men experiencing BPH induced lower urinary tract symptoms, including frequent trips to the bathroom, day and night; weak, slow or intermittent flow; urgent need to pee; and inability to fully empty bladder.
Optilume BPH is a drug-coated balloon that is inserted into the urethra via a telescopic camera, to the prostate. Once in the prostate, the balloon expands creating an opening, and releases the safe and proven drug paclitaxel, into the open prostate. When the drug coating is fully released, the balloon is deflated and removed. The drug prevents re-fusion of the lobes during healing, keeping the prostate open, restoring the flow of urine and relieving bothersome BPH symptoms.
How is Optilume performed? Is the patient awake?
The Optilume procedure is performed with light sedation and local anesthesia.
Firstly, the patient lies on their back with their legs in stirrups. The catheter is then inserted into the urethra up to the location of the prostate.
Once the catheter is set in place, a cylindrical balloon is inflated to press against the prostate tissue, creating a passageway for urine to flow through. As the balloon expands, it creates micro fissures in the tissue.
The coating of the balloon releases a therapeutic medication directly onto the fissured tissue. This medication reduces cell proliferation and fibrotic scar tissue generation, which helps relieve urinary obstruction and improves the flow of urine.
Where is Optilume performed?
Optilume Treatment is performed in an outpatient surgical centre.
Is the procedure painful?
Patients generally experience only mild to moderate discomfort during the part of the procedure when the balloon is expanded in the urethra. Other than that, the procedure is typically painless.
Is Optilume covered by insurance?
Optilume is not a OHIP covered procedure however may be reimbursed by private insurance plans. Patients should verify their benefits with their individual insurance company.
How quickly do patients experience symptom relief?
Men typically start to experience improvement in their symptoms over 6 to 12 weeks following the procedure.
How soon can patients return to regular activities?
The procedure is minimally invasive, so little downtime is involved. Patients may resume their normal activities within a few days following the procedure.
How long do improvements last?
Clinical results show long-lasting relief. (1,2)
The PINNACLE randomized control trial (2) shows excellent results through 2-year primary endpoint follow up and is supported by the EVEREST feasibility study (1) showing sustained improvements up to 5 years (1) and a low pharmacological and surgical retreatment rate. (1,2)
Can Optilume cause erectile dysfunction, or ED?
Optilume is clinically proven to be safe, with safety profile in-line with existing BPH MISTs (1,2)
In the 5-year EVEREST trial and 2-year PINNACLE trial follow-up, there was: no impact on erectile and ejaculatory function (1,2)
Can Optilume cause urinary incontinence?
In Optilume’s clinical studies, there were no reports of post-procedure urinary incontinence as a result of treatment with Optilume Therapy.
What are the risks of Optilume?
Similar to any medical procedure, there are some potential risks and side effects associated with Optilume.
However, they are typically very low in comparison to its benefits.
It is possible for some patients to experience discomfort or pain during the procedure, particularly if the catheter is inflated too tightly. Patients may also experience bleeding or bruising in the urethra or the surrounding tissue, which typically resolves on its own. In rare cases, urinary tract infections (UTI) following the procedure may occur.
Has Optilume been clinically tested?
Optilume is recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Optilume is a unique MIST that combines mechanical dilation using a proprietary double-lobe balloon with concurrent localized delivery of paclitaxel for the treatment of LUTS secondary to BΡΗ.
The recent FDA approval and published positive data will quickly establish Optilume as a new standard for physicians and men looking for rapid and sustained results in treating LUTS caused by BPH.
How many sessions of treatment do I need?
Only one treatment of Optilume is required to achieve urinary symptom relief.
What is the medication used in the Optilume procedure?
The Optilume medication is an antiproliferative drug that coats the balloon in order to stop urethral strictures from forming. It does this by minimizing the overactivity of cells and the formation of scar tissue.
REFERENCES:
- Roger K and Gilling P. Fast Facts: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, 7th edition. Health Press. 2011.
- McVary KT, Rogers T, Roehrborn CG. Rezūm water vapor thermal therapy for lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: 4-year results from randomized controlled study. Urology. 2019 Apr;126:171-9.
- McVary KT, Gange SN, Gittelman MC et al. Minimally invasive prostate convective water vapor energy (WAVE) ablation: A multicenter, randomized, controlled study for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2016 May;195(5):1529-38.
- Boston Scientific Market Research: Understanding Today’s BPH Patient, August 30, 2018.
- Data on file at Boston Scientific.
- Roehrborn CG, Barking J, Gange SM, et al. Five-year results of the prospective randomized controlled prostatic urethral L.I.F.T. study. Can J Urol. 2017 Jun;24(3):8802-13.
- Bachmann A, Tubaro A, Barber N, et al. 180-W XPS GreenLight laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of benign prostatic obstruction: 6-month safety and efficacy results of the European multi-centre randomized trial – The GOLIATH Study. Eur Urol. 2014 May;65(5):931-42.
- Lukacs B, Loeffler J, Bruyère F, et al. Photoselective vaporization of the prostate with GreenLight 120-W laser compared with monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate: A multicenter randomized controlled trial. Eur Urol. 2012;61(6):1165-73.
- Capitán C, Blázquez C, Martin MD, et al. GreenLight HPS 120-W laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized clinical trial with 2-year follow-up. Eur Urol. 2011 Oct;60(4):734-9.
- Al-Ansari A, Younes N, Sampige VP, et al. GreenLight HPS 120-W laser vaporization versus transurethral resection of the prostate for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized clinical trial with midterm follow-up. Eur Urol. 2010 Sep;58(3):349-55.
- Bouchier-Hayes DM, Van Appledorn S, Bugeja P, et al. A randomized trial of photoselective vaporization of the prostate using the 80-W potassium titanyl-phosphate laser vs transurethral prostatectomy, with a 1-year follow-up. BJU Int. 2010 Apr;105(7):964-9.
Our Centre
We offer a central location north of Toronto, conveniently located near Hwy 7 and Hwy 404 in Richmond Hill, Ontario.
Treatments and consultations are performed on an outpatient basis in a new private, modern clinic setting with easy-to-access free underground/ surface parking with direct access by VIVA public transit or car. We are adjacent to hotel facilities (Sheraton Parkway Toronto, Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott, and Hilton Garden Inn) for our out-of-town patients and their families.
Our center is also fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Address
- 550 Hwy 7 Unit 317, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3Z4
Hours
- Mon-Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM