Focal therapy of prostate cancer is an evolving treatment strategy that destroys a predefined region of the prostate gland that harbors clinically significant disease.
Although long-term oncologic control has yet to be demonstrated, focal therapy is associated with a marked decrease in treatment-related morbidity. Focal laser ablation is an emerging modality that has several advantages, most notably real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compatibility. This review presents the principles of laser ablation, the role of multiparametric MRI for delineating the site of significant prostate cancer, a summary of published clinical studies, and our initial experience with 23 patients, criteria for selecting candidates for focal prostate ablation, and speculation regarding future directions.
Written by:
Lee T, Mendhiratta N, Sperling D, Lepor H. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY; Sperling Prostate Center, New York, NY.
Reference: Rev Urol. 2014;16(2):55-66.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25009445
UroToday.com Prostate Cancer Section