Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy and Transurethral Water Jet Ablation (Aquablation) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Description of Procedure or Service

Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy and transurethral waterjet ablation (aquablation) have been investigated as minimally invasive alternatives to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), considered the traditional standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy uses radiofrequency-generated water vapor (~103°C) thermal energy based on the thermodynamic properties of convective versus conductive heat transfer to ablate prostate tissue. Aquablation cuts tissue by using a pressurized jet of fluid delivered to the prostatic urethra.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men, affecting up to 40% of men in their 50s, 70% of those between ages 60 and 69, and almost 80% of those ages 70 and older. BPH is a histologic diagnosis defined as an increase in the total number of stromal and glandular epithelial cells within the transition zone of the prostate gland. In some men, BPH results in prostate enlargement which can lead to benign prostate obstruction and bladder outlet obstruction, which are often associated with lower urinary tract symptoms to include urinary frequency, urgency, irregular flow, weak stream, straining, and nocturia. Lower urinary tract symptoms are the most commonly presenting urological complaint and can have a significant impact on the quality of life.

The decision whether to treat BPH is based on the impact of symptoms on quality of life and the potential side effects of treatment. Options for medical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms include alpha-1-adrenergic antagonists, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, antimuscarinic agents, beta agonists, and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Medications may be used as monotherapy or in combination.

Patients with persistent symptoms despite medical treatment, or patients experiencing significant side effects with medical therapy, or patients who are unable to tolerate medical alternatives may consider procedural intervention. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is generally considered the reference standard for comparisons of other BPH treatments. Several minimally invasive prostate ablation procedures have also been developed, including transurethral microwave thermotherapy, transurethral needle ablation of the prostate, urethromicroablation phototherapy, and photoselective vaporization of the prostate. The prostatic urethral lift procedure involves the insertion of one or more permanent implants into the prostate, which retracts prostatic tissue and maintains an expanded urethral lumen.

Clinical outcomes using these alternative therapies are generally compared individually to TURP. However, most comparisons with TURP are indirect, with head to head comparisons lacking in the published literature.

Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy and aquablation have been investigated as minimally invasive alternatives to TURP. Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy uses radiofrequency-generated water vapor (~103°C) thermal energy to ablate prostate tissue through convective transfer of energy. A proposed advantage over conductive heat transfer (e.g., transurethral microwave thermotherapy [TUMT], transurethral needle ablation [TUNA]) includes limiting thermal effects to the targeted treatment zone. Aquablation cuts tissue by using a pressurized jet of fluid delivered to the prostatic urethra.

The Rezūm™ system is a form of transurethral water vapor thermal therapy and consists of a radiofrequency generator and a single-use transurethral delivery device which incorporates a standard cystoscopy lens. The procedure is generally performed in an outpatient/in-office setting without the need for general anesthesia. The Rezūm system is not restricted by prostate morphology and is used to treat all prostate zones (i.e., not restricted to use in the setting of no median lobe obstruction).

Regulatory Status

In September 2016, the Rezum System™ (NxThera, Inc, acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018) was cleared for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration through the 510(k) process (K150786). The Food and Drug Administration determined that this device was substantially equivalent to existing devices (Medtronic Prostiva devices). Rezum™ is intended to relieve symptoms, obstructions, and reduce prostate tissue associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is indicated for men ≥ 50 years of age with a prostate volume ≥30cm3 and ≤80cm3. The Rezum System™ is also indicated for the treatment of prostate with hyperplasia of the central zone and/or a median lobe.

In April 2017, the Aquabeam® System (Procept Robotics Corporation) was cleared for marketing by the FDA through the 513(f)(2) (de novo) classification process (DEN170024). The device is intended for the resection and removal of prostate tissue in males suffering from LUTS due to BPH.

Related Policies

Prostatic Urethral Lift

***Note: This Medical Policy is complex and technical. For questions concerning the technical language and/or specific clinical indications for its use, please consult your physician.

Policy

BCBSNC will provide coverage for Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy (Rezūm) and Transurethral Water Jet Ablation for benign prostatic hyperplasia when it is determined to be medically necessary because the medical criteria and guidelines shown below are met.

Benefits Application

This medical policy relates only to the services or supplies described herein. Please refer to the Member's Benefit Booklet for availability of benefits. Member's benefits may vary according to benefit design; therefore, member benefit language should be reviewed before applying the terms of this medical policy.

When Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy and Transurethral Water Jet Ablation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is covered

Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy (Rezūm system) may be considered medically necessary for the treatment of moderate to severe lower urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) when ALL the following criteria are met:

1. Patient is not an appropriate candidate for an invasive surgical procedure using general anesthesia, such as transurethral resection of the prostate, or the patient opts to undergo a minimally invasive procedure.
2. Patient has persistent or progressive lower urinary tract symptoms or is unable to tolerate medical therapy for BPH, after an appropriate trial period, defined as one month following an alpha-1-adrenergic antagonist or 3 months following a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, or intolerance or other contraindication to medical therapy.
3. Prostate gland volume is estimated to be ≥30 to ≤80 cc, by ultrasound or other radiologic assessment.
4. The patient is 50 years of age or older.
5. The Rezūm device system is used by a physician trained in the specialty of Urology and trained in use of the Rezūm system.

Transurethral water jet ablation (Aquablation) may be considered medically necessary for the treatment of moderate to severe lower urinary obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) when ALL the follow criteria are met:

1. Patient is not an appropriate candidate for an invasive surgical procedure using general anesthesia, such as transurethral resection of the prostate, or the patient opts to undergo a minimally invasive procedure.
2. Patient has persistent or progressive lower urinary tract symptoms or is unable to tolerate medical therapy for BPH, after an appropriate trial period, defined as one month following an alpha-1-adrenergic antagonist or 3 months following a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor, or intolerance or other contraindication to medical therapy.
3. Prostate gland volume is estimated to be ≥30 to ≤80 cc, by ultrasound or other radiologic assessment.
4. The patient is 50 years of age or older

When Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy and Transurethral Water Jet Ablation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is not covered

Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy or Transurethral water jet ablation is considered investigational as a treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia when the above criteria are not met.

Repeat use of transurethral water vapor thermal therapy or transurethral water jet ablation as a treatment of BPH is considered investigational.

Use of transurethral water vapor therapy or transurethral water jet ablation as a treatment of BPH after use of other minimally invasive procedures for BPH (e.g., prostatic urethral lift) is considered investigational.

Use of transurethral water vapor therapy or transurethral water jet ablation as a treatment of BPH in a patient with a diagnosis of prostate cancer is considered investigational.

Policy Guidelines

For individuals who have benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms who receive transurethral water vapor thermal therapy, the evidence includes one small, sham-controlled randomized trial with a five-year uncontrolled follow-up phase (McVary, 2021). The outcomes of interest are symptoms, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. At three months, lower urinary tract symptoms improved more in the intervention group compared to the sham procedure. No adverse effects on erectile or ejaculatory function were observed, and improvements were sustained through five years of follow-up. The evidence is limited by the small sample size, short-term duration, lack of blinding of longer-term outcomes, and lack of direct comparison to alternative treatments such as transurethral resection of the prostate. However, five-year outcome reports show efficacy and retreatment rates at least as comparable to Urolift, and a cost-effectiveness analysis suggests that Rezūm may represent a less costly alternative to Urolift. The evidence is sufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

A sham-controlled, double-blind, randomized study reported three-year outcomes in 197 men with moderate to severe symptomatic BPH, randomized 2:1 to treatment with Rezūm or control procedure with rigid cystoscopy (McVary, 2017, 2018). The study included men who were 50 years of age or greater, with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) ≥13, maximum flow rate ≤15 mL/s and prostate volume 30 to 80 cc. Treatment with Rezūm resulted in IPSS improvement at 3 months of 50% compared with 20% for controls, (p<.0001). Symptom relief of at least 50% improvement in IPSS, quality of life and maximum flow rate remained durable throughout three years (p<.0001). Men with a treated median lobe had similar responses. Outcomes were consistently durable for over 4 years, with surgical retreatment rate 4.4% over 4 years.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of six therapies for the treatment of BPH included a comparison of combination prescription drug therapy, minimally invasive therapies to include Rezūm and Urolift, and invasive surgical procedures including TURP. (Ulchaker, 2017) The costs and cost-effectiveness were analyzed over 2 years. The minimally invasive therapies resulted in similar degrees of relief of lower urinary tract symptoms at year 2, however, the cost of Urolift (based on 4 implants) was more than twice as much as Rezūm.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements:

The American Urologic Association (AUA) BPH Clinical Guideline (2021; Amended 2023) states that “Water vapor thermal therapy should be considered as a treatment option for patients with LUTS/BPH provided prostate volume is 30-80cc. (Moderate Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C). Water vapor thermal therapy may be offered as a treatment option to eligible patients who desire preservation of erectile and ejaculatory function. (Conditional Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C).

No studies of repeat treatments using transurethral water vapor thermal therapy as a treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia were identified in the clinical literature. The evidence is insufficient to determine that the technology results in a meaningful improvement in the net health outcome.

For individuals who have BPH and LUTS who receive aquablation, the evidence includes a single noninferiority randomized controlled trial (RCT) of aquablation compared to TURP in 187 patients with 5 years of follow-up, and several multicenter, prospective, single-arm studies. The outcomes of interest are symptoms, functional outcomes, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. The primary efficacy endpoint in the RCT was the difference between groups in the change in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 6 months, and the primary safety endpoint was the development of Clavien-Dindo persistent grade 1, or 2 or higher operative complications at 3 months. At 6 months, mean IPSS decreased from baseline by 16.9 points for aquablation and 15.1 points for TURP (mean difference, 1.8 points; p<.0001 for noninferiority and p=.1347 for superiority). The primary safety endpoint rate was lower in the aquablation group compared to the TURP group (26% vs. 42%; p=.0149). The rate of grade 2 and greater events was similar in the 2 groups (20% for aquablation and 23% for TURP; p=.3038). Over 5 years, improvements remained similar between groups with no new safety signals. Confidence in these conclusions is reduced due to imprecision of estimates and a lack of additional supportive trials, especially with regard to comparative adverse events.

Practice Guidelines and Position Statements:

The American Urologic Association (AUA) BPH Clinical Guideline (2021) states that “Robotic waterjet treatment (RWT) may be offered as a treatment option to patients with LUTS/BPH provided prostate volume 30-80cc. (Conditional Recommendation; Evidence Level: Grade C)”.

Billing/Coding/Physician Documentation Information

This policy may apply to the following codes. Inclusion of a code in this section does not guarantee that it will be reimbursed. For further information on reimbursement guidelines, please see Administrative Policies on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina web site at www.bcbsnc.com. They are listed in the Category Search on the Medical Policy search page.

Applicable service codes: 53854, 0421T, C2596

BCBSNC may request medical records for determination of medical necessity. When medical records are requested, letters of support and/or explanation are often useful, but are not sufficient documentation unless all specific information needed to make a medical necessity determination is included.

Scientific Background and Reference Sources

For Policy Titled Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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;126:171-179.

McVary KT, Roehrborn CG. Three-Year Outcomes of the Prospective, Randomized Controlled Rezūm System Study: Convective Radiofrequency Thermal Therapy for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Urology. 2018 Jan;111:1-9.

Reich O, Gratzke C, Bachmann A, et al. Morbidity, mortality and early outcome of transurethral resection of the prostate: a prospective multicenter evaluation of 10,654 patients. J Urol. Jul 2008;180(1):246-249.

Ulchaker JC, Martinson MS. Cost-effectiveness analysis of six therapies for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinicoecon Outcomes Res. 2017 Dec 29;10:29-43.

Westwood, JJ, Geraghty, RR, Jones, PP, Rai, BB, Somani, BB. Rezum: a new transurethral water vapour therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Ther Adv Urol, 2018 Oct 23;10(11). PMID 30344644

American Urological Association Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Surgical Management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, 2018 (amended 2019) Available at: https://www.auanet.org/guidelines/benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-(bph)-guideline.

BCBSA Medical Policy Reference Manual [Electronic Version]. 2.01.49, 6/13/2019

Medical Director review 4/2020

BCBSA Medical Policy Reference Manual [Electronic Version]. 2.01.49, 6/18/2020

Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel – 11/2020

BCBSA Medical Policy Reference Manual [Electronic Version]. 2.01.49, 6/10/2021

Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel – 11/2021

McVary KT, El-Arabi A, Roehrborn C. Preservation of Sexual Function 5 Years After Water Vapor Thermal Therapy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Sex Med.Dec 2021; 9(6): 100454. PMID 34731779

McVary KT, Gittelman MC, Goldberg KA, et al. Final 5-Year Outcomes of the Multicenter Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial of a Water Vapor Thermal Therapy for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Secondary to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. J Urol. Sep 2021; 206(3): 715-724. PMID33872051

Lerner LB, McVary KT, Barry MJ, et al. Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: AUA GUIDELINE PART II-Surgical Evaluation and Treatment. J Urol. Oct 2021; 206(4): 818-826. PMID 34384236

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2020). Rezum for treating lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg49/chapter/1-Recommendations. Accessed April 23, 2022.

Sandhu JS, Bixler BR, Dahm P, et al. Management of lower urinary tract symptoms attributed to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): AUA Guideline amendment 2023. J Urol. 2023;10.1097/JU.0000000000003698. https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003698

Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel – 11/2023

Medical Director Review 11/2023

For Policy Titled Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy And Transurethral Water Jet Ablation For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Management of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Attributed to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Aua Guideline (Published 2021; Amended 2023) https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/non-oncology-guidelines

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2023). Transurethral water jet ablation for lower urinary tract symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. [IPG770]. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ipg770

Gilling PJ, Barber N, Bidair M, et al. Five-year outcomes for Aquablation therapy compared to TURP: results from a double-blind, randomized trial in men with LUTS due to BPH. Can J Urol. Feb 2022; 29(1): 10960-10968. PMID 35150215

Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel 11/2004

Medical Director Review 11/2024

Policy Implementation/Update Information

For Policy Titled Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

11/12/19 New policy developed. Transurethral water vapor thermal therapy (Rezūm) for BPH may be considered medically necessary with criteria. (hb)

4/14/20 Medical Director review. Description section updated. When Covered section updated. Added three additional non covered indications to When Not Covered section. Updated Policy Guidelines. Policy noticed 4/14/2020 for policy effective date 6/23/2020. (sk)

5/18/21 Reference added. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 11/18/2020. (sk)

12/14/21 Reference added. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 11/17/2021. (sk)

6/13/23 Policy review. References updated. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 11/16/2022. (sk)

12/29/23 Reference added. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 11/2023. Medical Director review 11/2023. (rp)

For Policy Titled Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy And Transurethral Water Jet Ablation For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

7/31/24 Title changed from “Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” to “Transurethral Water Vapor Thermal Therapy and Transurethral Water Jet Ablation (Aquablation) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia”. Description section updated. Regulatory Status updated. Policy statement updated to include coverage criteria for Transurethral Water Jet Ablation. Policy Guidelines updated. Codes 0421T and C2596 added to Billing/Coding section. References updated. Medical Director review 6/2024. Policy noticed 07/31/2024 for Effective date 10/01/2024 (rp)

12/17/24 Minor wording edits to description section. Reference added. Specialty Matched Consultant Advisory Panel review 11/2024. Medical Director Review 11/2024. (rp)