UCLA researchers find laser heat a new weapon against prostate cancer

Washington D.C: Laser heat may turn out to be an effective weapon against prostate cancer, a new research has shown.

The UCLA researchers found that focal laser ablation, the precise application of heat via laser to a tumor, is both feasible and safe in men with intermediate risk prostate cancer.

The Phase 1 study, published on June 10 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Urology, found no serious adverse effects or changes in urinary or sexual function six months after the procedure. The technique uses magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, to guide the insertion of a laser fiber into cancerous tumors. When heated, the laser destroys the cancerous tissue.

A follow-up study, presented in a poster presentation at the American Urology Association meeting in May, showed the potential to transfer this treatment for the first time into a clinic setting, using a special device (Artemis) that combines both MRI and ultrasound for real-time imaging.

If the laser technique, known as MRI-guided focal laser ablation, proves effective in further studies, especially using the new MRI-ultrasound fusion machine, it could improve treatment options and outcomes for men treated for such cancers, said study senior author Dr. Leonard Marks.

Historically, prostate cancer has been treated with surgery and radiation, which can result in serious side effects such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence.

"This focal therapy provides a middle ground for men to choose between radical prostatectomy and active surveillance, between doing nothing and losing the prostate," Marks said. "This is a new and exciting concept for prostate cancer treatment."

The laser treatment is not yet approved for use in prostate cancer by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.