Experimental Surgical Treatment Options
Most surgeons consider the following therapeutic options to still be in the early stages of development. These technologies are often reserved for patients where other forms of treatment have not worked successfully.
Laser Ablation
Source: Rodriguez, et al., Actas Urológicas (2006).
Percutaneous Laser Ablation is a local treatment of malignant tumors, primarily for patients whose condition is not amenable to surgical resection. Laser Ablation is a process in which a laser beam is used to remove tissue from the irradiated zone. Laser parameters including energy, wavelength, pulse duration, and physical and chemical properties of the tissue and ambient gas influence the mechanisms and success of Laser Ablation therapy. These parameters govern the optical and physical properties of the plasma that is generated at the site being ablated. The Nd:YAG Laser is the most commonly used type of Laser in medical applications. This Laser operates through the use of contact tip that converts the Laser light into intense heat. This heat is applied directly to a tissue and vaporizes it, creating a cavity. The primary advantage of using Laser Ablation is the immediate relief it provides to the patient by destroying the cancerous tissue. Primary disadvantages of Laser Ablation include:
- Tissue destruction via Laser Ablation advances very slowly and is therefore not suitable for large tissue masses
- No tissue remains in order to perform post-op histologic analysis feedback for the patient
- Parenchyma tissue is lost, limiting the possibility of reoperation to manage cancer recurrence
- Complications, side effects, and cancer recurrence rates are comparable to that of RF Thermal Ablation