InSightec out of Tirat Carmel, Israel is reporting that its ExAblate MRI guided focused ultrasound system has been used for the first time to treat prostate cancer. ExAblate is already being used around the world for treatment of uterine fibroids and bone metastases (except in U.S. where FDA is yet to approve it for that indication). In this latest study seven patients in Russia and Singapore with localized low-risk prostate cancer have undergone treatment.
“Unfortunately current treatment alternatives are accompanied by relatively high levels of adverse events which significantly impact the quality of life of prostate cancer patients. The most common are incontinence and impotence”, says Dr. Kobi Vortman, President and CEO of InSightec. “Due to the introduction of PSA screening tests, prostate cancer is diagnosed at an earlier age thereby increasing the necessity for a treatment option that minimizes adverse events. The ExAblate prostate system has been designed to provide effective treatments while minimizing the debilitating side-effects caused by damage to functional areas of the prostate and neurovascular bundles, thus the system is expected to enable patients to return to normal life within a day or two while maintaining their quality of life.”
The ExAblate system, which has been in clinical use for the treatment of uterine fibroids globally and bone metastases outside of the US, is an Image Guided, Non-invasive, Robotic Acoustic Surgery system integrating real time magnetic resonance imaging to visualize the tumor, surrounding tissue and the energy delivery path together with high intensity focused ultrasound beam which is delivered with millimeter precision to destroy the cancerous tumor without damaging surrounding tissue, which is the cause of most complications. The use of real-time 3D MR thermometry provides accurate closed-loop monitoring of the treatment outcome and ability to adjust the treatment according to specific patient physiology, in real time.
More: ExAblate for prostate
Flashbacks: Brain Surgery With MR Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound ; FDA Expands Indication for Insightec’s Uterine Fibroid System; Noninvasive Palliation of Pain of Bone Mets; ExAblate Making Waves in US; ExAblate 2000
(hat tip: Globes)