Tissue Ablation Technologies for Localized Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Traditional treatments for men with localized prostate cancer have included both surgical removal and radiation therapy, with their potential adverse effects on patient quality of life. Thus, there has been increasing interest in the development of minimally invasive procedures that use various technologies to deliver lethal doses of heat or cold to the prostate in an attempt to kill cancer cells. At the same time, it is vital that these newer techniques ablate prostate tissue and spare vital periprostatic organs essential for maintaining function and quality of life. In this article, we evaluate the current status of tissue ablation modalities in the treatment of clinically localized prostate cancer, focusing on the different methods, early results, and possible future directions. Although still in the beginning stages, these newer forms of treatment offer exciting potential for first-line and second-line treatment of this common urologic malignancy.

MR Imaging of Prostate after Treatment with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

“…Conversely, we might have reduced power or treatment volume at the anterolateral aspect of the gland adjacent to the levator muscle. Such feedback has been cited as a desirable attribute for ablation technology (39) and up to now has been missing.…”

Prostate thermal therapy with high intensity transurethral ultrasound: The impact of pelvic bone heating on treatment delivery

“…Prostate thermal therapy is becoming more acceptable as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery for treating prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [1][2][3]. Prominent technologies for delivering heat to the prostate include laser, thermal conduction or hot source devices, microwave, radiofrequency (RF), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) [1,4].…”

Sonablate®-500: transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound for the treatment of prostate cancer

“…The desirable attributes for a new technology in this field have been outlined previously (BOX 1) [8]. What is required is a truly conformal, noninvasive means of performing radical treatment for PCa; reducing the side-effect profile while maintaining oncological efficacy.…”