Transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with ultrasound/MRI fusion guidance in the treatment of localized radiotherapy-resistant prostate cancer

Guglielmo Manenti; Marco Nezzo; Colleen Patricia Ryan; Federico Romeo Fraioli; Beatrice Carreri; Paola Elda Gigliotti; Cecilia Angeloni; Francesca Di Pietro; Martina De Angeli; Tommaso Perretta; Rolando Maria D'Angelillo; Francesco Giuseppe Garaci

doi:10.1259/bjro.20230042

Transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) with ultrasound/MRI fusion guidance in the treatment of localized radiotherapy-resistant prostate cancer

BJR Open. 2023 Oct 18;5(1):20230042. doi: 10.1259/bjro.20230042. eCollection 2023.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Interventional Radiology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
² Laboratory of Neuromotor Physiology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy.
³ Radiotherapy Unit, Tor Vergata University Hospital of Rome, Rome, Italy.
⁴ Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transperineal laser ablation (TPLA) guided by ultrasound/magnetic resonance (MR) fusion as a salvage treatment for refractory focal prostate cancer.

Methods: A total of five patients who had undergone radiation therapy (RT) for prostate carcinoma and biochemical recurrence, confirmed by both prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and MRI (3T mpMRI), were enrolled in this study. Focal ablation was performed using a 1064 nm diode laser. Post-ablation follow-up was conducted for a duration of 18 months, which included regular PSA sampling, 3T mpMRI, and ultrasound/MR fusion-guided biopsies systematic and targeted at the site of the focal treatment.

Results: The focal ablation procedure was carried out in an outpatient setting regimen with optimal clinical and biochemical outcomes. No recurrence was detected throughout the follow-up period.

Conclusion: TPLA focal treatment effectively manages local recurrences of RT refractory prostate cancer without side-effects or complications. Preservation of quality of life and functional outcomes, along with a >70% reduction in PSA, were achieved.

Advances in knowledge: Our study investigated TPLA as a salvage treatment for low-risk recurrent prostate cancer after RT, demonstrating its tolerability, feasibility, and effectiveness.