Thomas J. Polascik, MD, FACS, presented “Surveillance After Image-Targeted Focal Therapy” during the 31st International Prostate Cancer Update in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.
How to cite: Polascik, Thomas J. “Surveillance After Image-Targeted Focal Therapy.” July 2021. Accessed Dec 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/surveillance-after-image-targeted-focal-therapy/
Surveillance After Image-Targeted Focal Therapy – Summary
Thomas J. Polascik, MD, FACS, Professor of Surgery at Duke University and Director of Surgical Technology at the Duke Prostate and Urological Cancer Center, discusses the process of active surveillance and retreatment after image-targeted focal therapy (FT). He begins by describing cancer control and how it may fail. Dr. Polascik then defines intermediate to long-term treatment success as eradication of all aggressive or clinically significant disease in the treated zone, and treatment failure as a significant volume of .2 cc or greater of GS 3+4 in the treated zone and development of any foci of clinically significant cancer requiring further therapy. He cites several studies as contributing to the conclusion that PSA alone is insufficient in defining oncological success, and that a targeted and systematic biopsy should be done 6 to 12 months post-treatment based on rising PSA or suspicious mpMRI lesions. Dr. Polascik then reviews a study outlining guidelines for post-treatment FT for localized prostate cancer in clinical practice. He outlines FT failure through the categories of ablation, targeting, and selection failure, which respectively consist of leaving a tumor in the ablation area, energy not being correctly applied to the tumor, and a patient being inappropriately selected for FT. Dr. Polascik then discusses repeat FT, stating that it is recommended when the reasons for the initial failure can be identified and corrected. He cites Donaldson et al. as showing that FT retreatment rates below 20% are clinically acceptable, any subsequent whole gland therapy reflects a failure of focal therapy, and that a retreatment rate of below 10% with whole gland therapy is clinically acceptable. He concludes by stating that functional outcomes will be clear at between 12 and 18 months post-treatment and by recommending that a post-ablation targeted biopsy of the ablation zone and any new lesions be done between 6 and 12 months post-treatment and possibly 5 years post-treatment, and that PSA density be used for surveillance.
About The 31st Annual International Prostate Cancer Update:
The International Prostate Cancer Update (IPCU), founded in 1990, is a multi-day CME conference focused on prostate cancer treatment updates with expert, international faculty. It is led by expert physicians and is designed for urologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Dr. Polascik delivered this educational activity during the 31st iteration of the meeting in July 2021 in Snowbird, Utah.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Thomas J. Polascik, MD, FACS, is Professor of Surgery at Duke University Medical Center and the Director of Surgical Technology at the Duke Prostate and Urological Cancer Center. He is the Founder and Co-Director of the International Symposium on Focal Therapy and Imaging of Prostate and Kidney Cancer, which began at Duke in 2008. Dr. Polascik is the Editor of Imaging and Focal Therapy of Early Prostate Cancer. He is Founder and President of the Focal Therapy Society, as well as Director of Duke’s Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Training Program and the Genitourinary Program on Focal Therapy at the Duke Cancer Institute. He is the Medical Director of Duke’s Men’s Health Initiative Screening Event and is a governing member of several medical boards and societies. His clinical and research interests focus on prostate and kidney cancer. He has authored over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and book chapters.
