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BackTable / Urology / Podcast / Episode #30

Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer

with Dr. Amit Patel and Dr. Ranko Miocinovic

Dr. Amit Patel, Dr. Ranko Miocinovic, and Dr. Jose Silva discuss focal therapy for prostate cancer and share their experiences with the NanoKnife System from AngioDynamics.

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Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer with Dr. Amit Patel and Dr. Ranko Miocinovic on the BackTable Urology Podcast)
Ep 30 Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer with Dr. Amit Patel and Dr. Ranko Miocinovic
00:00 / 01:04

BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2022, February 9). Ep. 30 – Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com

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Podcast Contributors

Dr. Amit Patel discusses Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer on the BackTable 30 Podcast

Dr. Amit Patel

Dr. Amit Patel is the chairman of the urology department at Duly Health and Care in Chicago.

Dr. Ranko Miocinovic discusses Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer on the BackTable 30 Podcast

Dr. Ranko Miocinovic

Dr. Ranko Miocinovic is a practicing urologist with Duly Health and Care's integrated oncology program in Chicago.

Synopsis

In this episode of BackTable Urology, Dr. Jose Silva discusses focal ablation for prostate cancer. He invites Dr. Amit Patel and Dr. Ranko Miocinovic to share their experiences with focal ablation using the Nanoknife System from AngioDynamics.

If prostate cancer is suspected due to an elevated PSA and a suspicious MRI scan, a prostate biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Both doctors prefer to perform their biopsies through a transperitoneal approach in an office setting with local anesthesia or ProNox. If a positive biopsy for prostate cancer is obtained, additional imaging to stage the lesion and radiation oncology is helpful in prognosing and treating the cancer, respectively.

Focal ablation is a new minimally invasive surgical technique that allows destruction of the cancerous part of the prostate gland without having to destroy or remove the entire gland. Intermediate risk prostate tumors yield the best results with focal ablation, specifically in the context of preventing post-operative sexual and voiding dysfunction. Once the focal ablation sensors localize the tumor in the gland, a variety of ablation techniques can be utilized. Both Dr. Patel and Dr. Miocinovic use the NanoKnife System, an irreversible electroporation system that uses an electric current to break up cell membranes.

Proponents of the NanoKnife System believe that it causes less peripheral destruction because it preserves connective tissue and minimizes destruction of nerves. Evidence also suggests that focal ablation using the NanoKnife system lowers the rate of scar tissue formation thereby lowering the rate of erectile dysfunction, improves protection of the urethra, causes less swelling of the prostate, lowers the risk of post-operative retention, and requires shorter operating time. Finally, this method of ablation allows for consequent follow up surgeries if necessary.

Next, the doctors discuss NanoKnife procedural techniques, such as surgical approaches, and using ultrasound-guided probe placement. When using this type of ablation, it is important to monitor the wattage of the NanoKnife carefully in order to prevent the ablation from causing thermal destruction. Finally, both doctors discuss the future possibility of adding focal ablation procedures as a first line therapy to the AUA guidelines on treating prostate cancer.

Transcript Preview

[Dr. Ranko Miocinovic]
NanoKnife is also known as irreversible electroporation, or IRE. And that's essentially using an electric current to simplify, to break up the membranes of cells, and destroy them in such manner. The interesting thing about this technology is that it preserves the connective tissues and it minimizes destruction of the nerves.

So for example, you know, not to pull away from prostate cancer, but many centers and surgical oncologists are using it in treatment of pancreatic cancer in those tumors that are wrapped around the aorta or inferior vena cava, around very important structures. And they're able to literally ablate on top of these vessels, very safely and cause no damage because it doesn't destroy the connective tissue and the skeleton with these structures.

And so that idea is also hopefully going to translate into what we're doing here. And there's multiple studies to show that, the safety of that. but it is a non-thermal energy, basically.

Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.

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Articles

A urologist performs performs a Nanoknife surgery for prostate cancer with focal ablation.

NanoKnife Surgery for Prostate Cancer Technique

Several NanoKnife probes creating a focal ablation area for prostate cancer treatment.

NanoKnife For Prostate Cancer

Topics

Minimally Invasive Focal Therapy Procedure Prep
Prostate Cancer Condition Overview
Learn about Urologic Oncology on BackTable Urology

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