Focal therapy has emerged as an interesting option for localized low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa). Targeted microwave ablation (TMA) is a novel FT modality involving targeted delivery of microwave energy under multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ultrasound guidance.
To describe the step-by-step procedure for TMA and report early functional outcomes.
This was an experimental phase 1-2 trial in 11 patients diagnosed with a single, MRI-visible PCa lesion of up to 12 mm, scored as International Society of Urological Pathology grade group (GG) 1 or 2.
Transperineal TMA under MRI/ultrasound image fusion guidance.
We recorded patient and PCa features; intraoperative and postoperative parameters; pain (Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) and adverse events (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0); and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores at 1 wk and 1, 3, and 6 mo.
The median patient age was 67 yr (interquartile range [IQR] 18). Median PSA was 5.4 ng/ml (IQR 1.8), median prostate volume was 51 cm3 (IQR 35), and median lesion size on MRI was 10 mm (IQR 4). Ten patients had GG 2 PCa and one had GG 1 disease. The median procedure time was 40 min (IQR 30). No intraoperative complications were reported. All treatments were performed on a day-case basis and no patients were discharged with a urinary catheter. Postoperatively, no grade ≥2 complications were reported. No significant changes in PSA (p = 0.46), IPSS (p = 0.39), or IIEF-5 scores (p = 0.18) scores were reported. The postoperative VAS score at 24 h was 0 for all patients.
TMA is safe, feasible, and well tolerated in patients with low- to intermediate-risk PCa. Oncological outcomes are still awaited.
Targeted microwave therapy is safe and feasible for selected patients with low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer. The procedure is well tolerated and does not require a urinary catheter after the procedure. Cancer control outcomes are still awaited.
European urology open science. 2022 Oct 22*** epublish ***
Marco Oderda, Alessandro Marquis, Giorgio Calleris, Daniele D'Agate, Riccardo Faletti, Marco Gatti, Giancarlo Marra, Paolo Gontero
Division of Urology, Department of Surgical Sciences, Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy., Division of Radiology, Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.