Focal therapy and its effect in prostate cancer

The authors aimed to determine the effects of focal therapy on prostate cancer patient outcome. 

Index lesion focal therapy is a form of non-invasive treatment that uses energy to target a specific region of the prostate that contains cancer, causing minimal damage to healthy tissue and less-severe side-effects (such as urinary and sexual function).  

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of focal therapy on patient outcome.

56 patients were used in this study with a 12 month follow-up time. At 12 months 58.9% of patients had correct sexual functioning and did not suffer from incontinence (the loss of bladder control). 92.3% of patients who were in control of their bladder before treatment remained so after treatment and did not need to wear a pad for incontinence. 76.9% of patients had normal erectile functioning 12 months after treatment. Treatments for erectile dysfunction increased from 12.7% to 42.6% in patients after treatment.

The side-effects experienced after treatment were minor, where 16.1% experienced painful urination, 64.3% experienced blood in their urine, 42.9% experienced urinary passage of debris (such as kidney stones etc) and 17.9% experienced urinary tract infections.

There was a significant decrease in prostate specific antigen levels (PSA – protein present in the blood in the presence of prostate cancer) from 7.4 ng/ml to 2.4 ng/ml at 12 months. There was no significant evidence of prostate cancer in 86% of patients following treatment. Overall, 53.7% of patients did not suffer from incontinence or erectile dysfunction and showed no signs or symptoms of recurrent or advanced prostate cancer following treatment.

The authors conclude that focal therapy resulted in lower urinary side-effects and acceptable short-term absence of recurrent of advanced prostate cancer. 

If you are considering focal therapy as a treatment option, please consult your doctor for potentials benefits and risks.