Ablative Local Technologies (HIFU, Cryo, SBRT, Laser, and Other Forms of Energy)
David M. Albala, MD, provides an overview and comparison of current options for focal ablative therapy in prostate cancer treatment. He begins by briefly touching on the benefits of focal therapy as a whole, before exploring the different types of focal therapy.
Dr. Albala categorizes focal therapies into temperature-based therapies and non-temperature-based therapies. He places High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, Laser Ablation, and Cryotherapy in the temperature-based focal therapies. Radiotherapies like seed, HDR, and EBRT join Photodynamic Therapy, Radiofrequency Ablation, Electroporation, and partial prostatectomy in the non-temperature-based category.
Dr. Albala discusses the importance of weighing cancer control with preservation of function and patient QoL when considering focal therapies. He discusses the assessment process and the rate of failure for focal therapies. He underscores the process of patient selection and treatment planning prior to selecting a therapy.
He concludes by reviewing the delivery methods currently available for focal therapy. For each method, he presents the advantages, disadvantages, and ideal patient profile for each treatment.
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