Patient Selection for Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy: Urologic Perspective
Geoffrey Sonn, MD, discusses patient selection criteria for prostate cancer focal therapy from a urologic perspective.
Focal therapy aims to treat only the cancerous lesion while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. Candidates for focal therapy typically have localized prostate cancer confined to a specific area of the gland. Imaging techniques such as multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) play a pivotal role in accurately identifying and characterizing these lesions, guiding treatment planning, and ensuring precise targeting during therapy.
Patient selection also hinges on tumor biology and clinical factors. Dr. Sonn explains that biomarkers and genomic testing help assess the aggressiveness and molecular characteristics of the cancer, aiding in risk stratification and predicting the likelihood of disease progression.
Dr. Sonn underscores the importance of patient-centered care in the era of precision medicine. When considering focal therapy as an option, each patient’s preferences, overall health status, and potential impact of treatment on quality of life must be carefully weighed.