Focal Laser Ablation
What is Focal Laser Ablation?
Focal Laser Ablation uses advanced MR imaging to accurately pinpoint even the smallest grouping of cancer. MRI-guided ablation is performed by applying the precise temperate that physically destroys the cancer without impacting nearby healthy tissue. For prostate cancer, ablation is an alternative to surgery or radiation. Busch Center is one of the few facilities offering this innovative technology in the U.S.
Benefits of Focal Laser Ablation
The typical treatment approaches to prostate cancer involve either surgical removal of the entire prostate (radical prostatectomy) or administration of radiation therapy to the whole prostate. These approaches can be associated with side effects such as erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence, and require extended periods of treatment and recovery.
Focal Laser Ablation has unique benefits for patients in that it:
Targets only the tumor
Avoids damage to healthy prostate tissue
Greatly reduces the risk of impaired urinary and sexual function
Is a same-day procedure
Does not require general anesthesia
Does not use radiation
Has minimal side effects and recovery time
Focal Laser Ablation is safe enough to be repeated if new tumors emerge. It also preserves the ability to retreat with other modalities, including surgery and radiation if necessary.
How Does Focal Laser Ablation Work?
The laser ablation generates heat that kills cancer in a precise spot while leaving surrounding healthy tissue intact.
Under real-time MRI guidance, a special optical fiber is guided precisely into place at the core of the tumor.
When activated, the laser emitted at the tip of the fiber destroys the tumor within minutes while special tracking called thermometry confirms the proper temperature.
Multi-parametric MRI scans reveal that the destruction is complete, and the laser fiber is removed.
Our goal is to control the disease while avoiding collateral damage to sensitive structures and preserving quality of life for our patients.
How May We Serve You?
To learn more and discover if Focal Laser Ablation is right for you, please contact our friendly staff.