Focal treatment of prostate cancer with Irreversible Electroporation

There are many treatment options available today for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Despite all treatment options, the trend towards focal treatments is increasing today. “Irreversible Electroporation” is a new and up-to-date application in the non-surgical treatment of prostate cancer with focal localization in a single focus or in several foci previously detected by MR and MR-fusion biopsy in the prostate.

In the classical treatment of prostate cancer, surgical removal of the entire prostate gland (Radical Prostatectomy) or radiation / beam therapy (Radiotherapy) has been used for years. The most common side effects of these two treatment methods are erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. In order to prevent these side effects, focal treatments are preferred.

mechanism

Irreversible Electroporation therapy uses low-energy electrical pulses (LEDC) to create defects (pores) in the cell membrane. In this method, a short-term but very high electric current is given to the tissue. The applied electric current causes destruction in target cells by causing loss of hemostasis (intracellular balance) and subsequent cell death (apoptosis). The damage created is called “ablation”.

While only the cancerous tissues located in the prostate are destroyed, the intact prostate tissue, the urinary tract and sexual functions, which we call the urethra passing through the prostate, and the nerves and vessels around the prostate that provide urine retention are preserved. Irreversible Electroporation therapy is the newest and most updated localized prostate cancer focal/focused ablation therapy whose efficacy and safety have been accepted.

How is it applied?

A light sedation is given to the patient, and the procedure is performed with needles that transmit electric current, which are inserted through the skin by means of special apparatus from the prostate area. With simultaneous ultrasonography and previous MRI and MR fusion biopsy, the patient’s tumor/cancerous tissues are determined. Needles are inserted into the areas where the tumor tissue is located. Tumorous tissues are destroyed only by electric current without heat. Patients are discharged on the same day or the next day.

What are the advantages?

In summary, the advantages of this method are; It is a non-surgical procedure, there is no incision, no scar, it provides treatment without causing side effects such as hardening and urinary incontinence, it does not cause organ loss, it can be easily applied with a mild sedation, it provides an early return to daily life and social life.