Focal therapy for prostate cancer: patient selection and evaluation. Issue 1 (January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gravas, Stavros; Tzortzis, Vassilios; de la Riva, Santiago Isorna Martinez; Laguna, Pilar; de la Rosette, Jean
• Is Part Of: Expert review of anticancer therapy. Volume 12:Issue 1(2012)
• Page Start: 77
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2012-01
• Subjects: biopsy -- cryotherapy -- focal therapy -- high-intensity focused ultrasound -- magnetic resonance imaging -- photodymanic therapy -- prostate cancer -- transrectal ultrasound; Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.99406
• DOI: 10.1586/era.11.144
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1473-7140

Abstract

Recent stage migration toward low-risk prostate cancer, overtreament of biologically insignificant tumors with radical prostatectomy at the additional expense of a non-negligible morbidity and undertreatment of patients improperly selected for active surveillance are the main reasons that have fuelled the concept of focal therapy. Optimal selection of patients is the key for the successful implementation of focal therapy. Selection criteria for focal therapy vary widely and depend on clinical, histological and imaging characteristics of the patients that are highlighted in this article. In addition, the rationales, merits and limitations of the available methods for the assessment of potential candidates, the evaluation of treatment efficacy and follow-up of these patients are discussed.