Nowadays, focal therapies have emerged as a new treatment option for prostate cancer. Previously, patients with small, localized prostate cancer had to choose between active surveillance, surgery, or radiotherapy.
Focal therapy is a treatment method that targets only the area where the prostate cancer is located. The goal of the treatment is to eliminate the small cancerous area within the prostate. Our aim is to successfully eradicate cancerous regions while minimizing side effects.
Advantages
- Preserves normal prostate tissue and function.
- Lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction compared to surgery.
- Focal therapies can be repeated if necessary.
- Does not limit the option of subsequent radiation therapy or surgical treatment.
- Provides quick recovery, allowing patients to return to work the next day.
- Early cancer outcomes are very successful, though clinical studies are ongoing.
Approach
Careful examination is required to recommend focal therapy to patients. It is suggested only after confirming that the tumor is small and localized and does not require more extensive treatment.
Methods
- Focal Cryoablation: This system destroys the tumor area by freezing it. Since focal cryoablation targets only a small area within the prostate, it causes fewer side effects compared to other cryoablation techniques that freeze the entire prostate gland.
- NanoKnife®: Irreversible electroporation is performed using probes placed in the tumor, which destroy the tissue by applying electricity.
- Focal Laser Ablation: A probe is placed in the cancerous area of the prostate. The cancerous tissue is destroyed by using the heat from laser energy transmitted through the probe.
- High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): HIFU uses sound waves directed at the tumor to destroy it.
Follow-Up
After focal therapy, the patient should be carefully monitored as with other treatment options. To evaluate the effects of the treatment, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, examination, MRI, and ultrasound studies are recommended. Follow-up biopsies may also be performed during these evaluations. If recurrence is observed during the follow-up period, appropriate action can be taken.