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Transperineal Targeted Microwave Ablation (TMA) of localized prostate cancer guided by MRI-Ultrasound fusion and organ-based tracking: a pilot study

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 26, pages 736–742 (2023)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

To investigate the efficacy of transperineal targeted microwave ablation (TMA) in treating localized prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods

This is a single-centre prospective phase 2 trial recruiting men with low to intermediate-risk localized PCa to undergo transperineal TMA. TMA was performed with MRI-Ultrasound fusion guidance and organ-based tracking. A per-protocol 6-month MRI and biopsy were performed for all patients. The primary outcome was any cancer detected on biopsy of each ablated area. Secondary outcomes included per-patient analysis of positive biopsy, complications, urinary symptom score, erectile function and quality of life (QOL) scores.

Results

In the first 15 men, 23 areas were being treated. The median age was 70 years, number of TMA ablations were 5 (range 2–8), and the total ablation time and operating time was 22 (IQR 14–28) and 75 (IQR 65-85) minutes, respectively. PSA level dropped from a median of 7.7 to 2.4 ng/mL. For the primary outcome, 91.3% (21/23) ablated area had no cancer in 6-month biopsy. In per-patient analysis, 33.3% (5/15) had in or out-of-field positive biopsy at 6 months. Among these five cases, four of them were amenable to active surveillance and 1 (6.7%) case with out-of-field ISUP grade group 2 cancer received radiotherapy. The urinary symptoms, uroflowmetry, erectile function, and QOL scores had no significant difference at 6 months. One patient (out of five patients with normal erection) in the cohort complained of significant worsening of erectile function after TMA. Grade 1 complications including hematuria (33.3%), dysuria (6.7%), and perineal discomfort (13.4%) were observed.

Conclusions

In this first pilot study, transperineal TMA guided by MRI-Ultrasound fusion guidance and organ-based tracking was shown to be effective, safe, and easily applicable in men with localized PCa.

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Fig. 1: Intra-operative photos during Targeted Microwave Ablation.
Fig. 2
Fig. 3: Targeted microwave ablation (TMA) treatment.

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Acknowledgements

There was no financial support or grant funding for this project. The microwave needle ablation system was provided by Koelis company for study purpose only. Besides equipment support, Koelis has no role in protocol development, trial conductance, and manuscript preparation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. SH Ho Urology Centre, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Peter Ka-Fung Chiu, Chun-Hong Chan, Chi-Hang Yee, Sui-Yan Lau, Jeremy Yuen-Chun Teoh, Ho-Fai Wong, Ka-Lun Lo & Chi-Fai Ng

  2. Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Tsz-Yau Yuen, Hiu-Yee Hung & Carmen Chi-Min Cho

Authors
  1. Peter Ka-Fung Chiu
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Contributions

PK-FC: Design of trial, Patient recruitment, Perform treatment, Data analysis, Drafting of manuscript. C-HC: Data analysis, Drafting of manuscript. C-HY: Perform treatment, critical review of manuscript. S-YL: Patient recruitment, Data analysis. Patient follow-up. JY-CT: Design of trial, critical review of manuscript. H-FW: Perform treatment, critical review of manuscript. K-LL: Perform treatment, supervision. T-YY: MRI imaging and reporting, Treatment planning. H-YH: MRI imaging and reporting, Treatment planning. CC-MC: MRI imaging and reporting, Treatment planning, critical review of manuscript. C-FN: Critical review of manuscript, Supervision.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Peter Ka-Fung Chiu or Chi-Fai Ng.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Chiu, P.KF., Chan, CH., Yee, CH. et al. Transperineal Targeted Microwave Ablation (TMA) of localized prostate cancer guided by MRI-Ultrasound fusion and organ-based tracking: a pilot study. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 26, 736–742 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-022-00577-8

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