Prostate cancer is a common form of cancer that affects many men worldwide. Traditional treatments such as surgery and radiation can be effective in treating the cancer, but they often come with life-altering side effects. However, a new clinical trial conducted by Keck Medicine of USC is exploring a less invasive and potentially more effective treatment option using steam to destroy cancer cells in the prostate.
The clinical trial is specifically designed for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, where the tumor is localized within the prostate gland and has not spread to other organs. This type of cancer accounts for a significant portion of all localized prostate cancers. The goal of the trial is to determine if a water vapor system that delivers targeted amounts of steam can be a safe and effective treatment for prostate cancer.
Dr. Andre Abreu, a urologist at Keck Medicine and the lead investigator of the clinical trial site, explains that the new treatment aims to offer patients better quality-of-life outcomes compared to traditional therapies. The steam therapy is designed to be less damaging to healthy tissues surrounding the prostate, potentially reducing side effects such as impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel dysfunction.
The procedure involves using MRI to locate the tumor cells in the prostate and then guiding a thin catheter through the urethra to the tumor site. A fine needle is deployed into the tumor, and targeted bursts of steam are released to destroy the cancer cells. Unlike surgery or radiation, the steam therapy is a gentler and outpatient procedure that aims to target only the cancerous tissue within the prostate.
The clinical trial is being conducted at multiple sites across the nation, with Keck Hospital of USC being the only Los Angeles area site participating in the study. The outcomes of the patients will be followed for five years post-treatment to evaluate the effectiveness of the steam therapy. The study is sponsored by Francis Medical, Inc., the company that developed the Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System used in the trial.
Dr. Abreu is hopeful that innovative therapies like steam therapy will revolutionize prostate cancer treatment in the coming years, offering patients a way to become cancer-free while maintaining their quality of life. As the field of urology continues to develop minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer, the future looks promising for patients seeking alternatives to traditional therapies.
In conclusion, the use of steam therapy in the treatment of prostate cancer is a promising option that may offer patients a less invasive and more effective treatment approach. The ongoing clinical trial at Keck Medicine of USC is paving the way for innovative therapies that could potentially change the landscape of prostate cancer treatment in the future.
