FLA

anyone heard anything on this
MRI Guided Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer:
Advantages over surgery (radical prostatectomy):
Minimally invasive
Outpatient procedure
No general anesthesia
Rapid recovery
Low risk of erectile dysfunction
Low risk of urinary incontinence
Repeatable (if necessary)
3T multiparametric MRI offers unparalleled visualization of prostate cancer, allowing us to precisely target the cancer with a laser system measuring just 1.85 mm in diameter. We measure the temperature with MRI thermometry, giving real time heating information to allow Dr. Karamanian to protect vital structures. Studies have shown that our laser is extremely precise, down to 1 mm, which is very important when considering that the neurovascular bundle responsible for erections runs within a 2-4 millimeters of the edge of the prostate.
The cancer is ablated (destroyed with heat), without undergoing radical surgery and minimizing damage to the neurovascular bundle and urethra. The patient goes home a few hours after the procedure. Many of our patients have told us that just two days after the procedure, they were back to normal. We perform our ablations under conscious sedation (carefully monitored, powerful intravenous pain and anxiety medications) to minimize pain and anxiety.
Our Workup, Treatment, and Follow-up Protocol
We look at your entire prostate health picture including your PSA, pathology results, MRI, and your personal treatment goals and desires.
Based on the MRI, we create a prostate map, outline where the cancer is located, whether or not it appears confined to the prostate, and its proximity to vital structures. Putting all the pieces together, we give a recommendation regarding whether or not you are a good candidate for focal laser ablation (FLA). The good news is that about 4 out of 5 new diagnoses of prostate cancer are in the local stage, usually amenable to focal treatment.
If you are a good candidate for FLA and choose to proceed, we perform the procedure in our 3T MRI location in Houston, Texas. Please download MRI Guided Focal Laser Ablation for Prostate Cancer: What to expect for more information about what to expect on the day of the procedure.
We provide you with a detailed and personalized follow-up plan.
https://www.prostatelasercenter.com/

Why not use brachytherapy? It has been used successfully for some 50 years by more than one hundred thousand men. Both permanent seeds and high dose provide superior cancer control and very minimal side effects. Nothing investigational about it and covered by all insurance. Go with what is proven is my advice.

Actually this is a man that I have worked with for twelve years. I am snowboat, had IMRT at Mayo Phoenix. He needs advice and he is a legit cancer victim that doesn't know what to do. He needs more advice than I was able to give him. He surfed the net and I was unable to answer his questions. Fairwind, you are mistaken, he is legit and doesn't know what to do. Thanks for the help.

Please read this before deciding:

/pcnrv.blogspot.com/2016/12/focal-ablation-unresolved-issues.html

At the bottom of that link, you will see Dr. Karamanian's comments and my response.

You wrote about this in your last post too. I understand your desperation to find a treatment that is effective with low SEs, but hope you don't fall prey to doctors making unscrupulous promises because of it.

You should never use focal therapy (FLA or any other) outside of a clinical trial, and you should understand the risks of doing so.

In spite of the hype, there are unacceptable failure rates even with the best imaging, with failures even occurring within the ablation zone. The side effects are no better than SBRT or brachytherapy, which have higher cure rates.