Bipolar radiofrequency ablation as focal treatment for PCa

I was diagnosed in 2008 (at age 51) with PCa Gleason 3+3. Have been on active surveillance. PSA checked every ~3 months has been relatively stable (2.8 - 3.9 range). Repeat biopsies all Gleason 3+3; all <10% cancer in 1 positive core. All positive cores in same defined area of gland. Multiple MRIs confirm lesion in same area as indicated by biopsies.

Have been discussing focal therapy with my doctor, who is just starting a clinical trial of Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation focal treatment for PCa. I haven't been able to find any information on RFA as prostate cancer treatment. Does anyone have any information about this procedure?

A bit of Googling suggests that the information is probably out there but is hard to sort out without knowing which technology is being trialed.

Here are a few links I found offered for your further confusion:

www.onemedplace.com/blog/archives/1044

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19125656

gtp.autm.net/network/university-health-network/technology/view/38431

Much of the activity seems to center around the French company that has set up US operations in the Tampa, Florida area. They seem to have recently found some money to try to get into the US market and their technology looks pretty good.

Next time you see your doctor ask him if he has some links to the existing studies so far. Then you can share them with us. We do have a (small) number of guys here who have been treated with focal therapy and maybe we can help you with the pros and cons once you have a few more details.

Hi Luke,

If you're doing well on AS, why change? All treatments, even focal therapies have side effects. One of the best reasons for AS to me is that it gives time for researchers to develop and investigate new better therapies if you should need treatment in the future.

I think one has to be very careful about any thermal focal ablation.

The main question you have to answer for yourself is, "what am I trying to achieve with this?"

- Allen