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Focal therapy using targeted microwave ablation (TMA)

Let's explore this subject together
 
Dr Alexandre Peltier
Urologist

Focal therapy for prostate cancer is an innovative treatment approach that consists of treating exclusively the prostate zone where the tumour is present, sparing all other parts of the gland. Suitable for localised and moderately aggressive cancers, this treatment makes it possible to reduce side effects and preserve the essential functions of the prostate, notably the urinary and sexual functions. 

At the Willy Grégoir Prostate Cancer Centre we are alone in Belgium in proposing this leading edge treatment known as targeted microwave ablation (TMA). 

One treatment, two options

Focal therapy for prostate cancer is based on a number of technologies that use various energy sources (ultrasound, microwaves, cyrotherapy, electroporation, etc.)  and approaches (treatment of the entire gland, of a hemigland, or ultra focal targeting).  This diversity permits a personalised treatment in line with the cancer characteristics and patient’s expectations. However, it complicates the direct comparison of strategies as each method has specific advantages and limitations with no single approach being identified as superior to the others. 

At the Willy Grégoir Prostate Cancer Centre we have been committed for than two decades to developing these technologies and have been actively involved in disseminating them internationally. Our choice was initially for treatment with  HIFU, with our first treatment carried out more than 20 years ago, and then more recently TMA.