A new form of focal therapy for prostate cancer has made its way to the Natural State, set to be offered by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. (Photo: UAMS)
LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — A new form of focal therapy for prostate cancer has made its way to the Natural State, set to be offered by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
NanoKnife technology is a new therapy that focuses on a specific part of the prostate where cancerous cells are located.
Without affecting surrounding tissue, the procedure focuses on cells where cancer is detected, all while producing a lower risk of side effects.
Those side effects include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.
"The NanoKnife System is the only function-preserving, minimally invasive therapy that uses electricity to destroy prostate tumors," according to AngioDynamics, a medical technology company that designs and manufactures the technology.
The state's first procedure was performed on March 21 by A. Murat Aydin, M.D.
Aydin, a urologic oncologist at UAMS has been engaged in training on the use of the cutting-edge technology.
After receiving treatment, the patient was at home the same day and shared a good report after returning to UAMS for a follow up visit 10 days later.
"Patients with localized low-risk prostate cancers have a very good prognosis and can be managed with active surveillance and stringent follow-up," said Aydin.
"However, each year, about 10% of men on active surveillance still receive radical treatment with surgery or radiation due to disease progression, a blood test showing increased levels of PSA marker, patient choice or patient anxiety."
What sets this specific type of focal therapy apart from others is its short, high voltage electrical pulses produced by irreversible electroporation.
This is used by NanoKnife to specifically key in on the tumor, instead of impacting the prostate gland overall.
"Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and there is a very wide disease spectrum in terms of stage and survival," Aydin said.
"Overtreatment of low-risk and intermediate-risk localized (early stage) prostate cancer by surgery or radiation is a major issue, and this leads to increased frequency of quality-of-life issues, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, without any survival benefit."
Initially considered a novel treatment option to destroy the cancer while also lowering the effects of radiation and surgery, variable results have been shown.
"This is a more advanced version of therapy," said Tim Langford, M.D., a urologist and chair of the UAMS Department of Urology.
"It treats the tumor only and will virtually eliminate the risks of incontinence and erectile dysfunction."
The new technology will minimize risks of side effects from the treatment on small tumors.
"The follow-up for patients after the procedure consists of a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test, MRI and biopsies at regular intervals," Aydin said.
This is the latest advanced form of focal therapy that's part of a wide range of advanced oncological services that are available at UAMS, including proton therapy.