Introduction to Prostate Cancer Treatment
A groundbreaking prostate cancer treatment trial has been launched in the UK with the hope of reducing side effects. The study, supported by the government-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research, will examine whether Aquablation – a therapy using robotics, AI, and real-time imaging – works as well or better than traditional surgical procedures.
Current Prostate Cancer Treatment
Currently, the entire prostate is removed to cure men of prostate cancer. This is done in a procedure called a radical prostatectomy. It is only suitable for men whose cancer has not spread beyond the prostate or has spread to the area just outside the gland, and carries a risk of serious side effects such as infections, erectile dysfunction, and urinary problems.
New Therapy: Aquablation
With less invasive aquablation, experts hope to minimize these problems. The new therapy, which involves a robotic, high-pressure water jet, allows surgeons to image the entire prostate in real time with ultrasound. Using this technique, doctors find cancerous tissue to remove while avoiding surrounding nerves and muscles associated with erectile function and the bladder. Aquablation is currently used in some centers to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The Trial
The new trial, sponsored by a US company, is being carried out in seven countries, including the UK. The four UK centers are participating in the trial, and a total of 280 patients will be recruited worldwide, all with localized early-stage prostate cancer who have already decided to undergo surgery.
Benefits of the New Therapy
Philip Charlesworth, a consultant urological surgeon, said: "For men with prostate cancer confined to the prostate, the cure options are excellent, but we are increasingly focusing on the side effects of cancer treatment and how we can use new technologies to maintain a man’s quality of life after surgery." He called the study "an incredibly exciting prospect for the future of prostate cancer treatment" and said positive results could lead to the addition of "an alternative surgical treatment option for patients with localized prostate cancer around the world."
Prostate Cancer Cases
Figures suggest that around one in eight men will develop cancer during their lifetime. A total of 58,218 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England last year – an increase of almost 9% compared to the previous year.
Screening for Prostate Cancer
Last month, scientific advisers said prostate cancer screening should not be routinely carried out for the vast majority of men, telling the government it would "likely cause more harm than good". The committee will only make a recommendation that men with certain gene mutations undergo screening every two years between the ages of 45 and 61, which puts them at a much higher risk of prostate cancer.
Increasing Pressure for Screening
In recent months, there has been increasing pressure to feature high-profile public figures who have been diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. This has led to a growing call for increased awareness and screening for the disease.
