Vanderbilt First in Tennessee to Test Prostate Cancer Therapy

Urologic surgeons at Vanderbilt are the first in Tennessee to test a new, minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat prostate cancer. The Albatherm procedure uses high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to destroy malignant prostate tissue without any incision.

The technique has been used in Europe for more than a decade to treat localized prostate cancer in select groups of patients. It works by delivering precisely focused beams of high intensity ultrasound through a series of targeted shots. At the point where ultrasound is focused, the sudden and intense absorption of the beam creates a rapid temperature increase in the tissue, which destroys cells in the targeted zone.

Fifteen patients will be enrolled in the study at Vanderbilt. Eventually, 18 sites will participate, with 12 of them offering HIFU and the other six offering cryotherapy for the study’s control group. Other clinical trial participants include Duke University, Georgetown Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine and the Cleveland Clinic.

“This is the first FDA-approved study with this device for the treatment of primary, localized prostate cancer,” said Sam Chang, M.D., who is a co-investigator along with colleagues Michael Cookson, M.D., and Peter Clark, M.D. “In Europe, HIFU is the fastest growing treatment for localized prostate cancer. Right now, through this study, this is the only way in the U.S. for patients to receive this type of therapy in a controlled and safely regulated manner.”

For information about the trial, call the Department of Urologic Surgery at (615) 343-2120.

– by John Howser

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