Did you know that prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the world? For years, surgery and radiation were the only options available, with all their side effects. But now a new clinical trial is exploring a surprisingly simple approach: using steam to kill cancer cells.
The Challenge of Prostate Cancer Today
Prostate cancer is one of the most significant challenges in oncology. This walnut-sized gland, located between the bladder and the rectum, is surrounded by nerves and muscles that control vital functions such as sexual and urinary functions. Current treatments, while effective, can seriously compromise the quality of life of patients, causing incontinence, impotence and bowel dysfunction.
How the Vanquish System Works
The approach developed by Francis Medical is called Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System. The procedure is surprisingly straightforward: Under general anesthesia, a catheter is inserted through the urethra into the prostate. From there, an ultra-thin needle is deployed directly into the tumor to release a 10-second jet of steam.
The physics behind this treatment is fascinating. The steam quickly diffuses into the prostate tissue before condensing back into water. During this process, heat is distributed effectively across the affected area, selectively eliminating tumor cells without damaging surrounding healthy tissue. This is not the first time that heat has been explored as an anti-tumor treatment, but This is one of the most direct and targeted applications we've seen so far.
The advantages of “steam” therapy compared to traditional ones
Comparing this technique with traditional methods, significant advantages emerge. The treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis and patients can go home the same day. Recovery is surprisingly fast: normal activities can be resumed the next day.
In comparison, surgery requires hospitalization and longer recovery times, in addition to the well-known side effects.
Another aspect that I find particularly interesting is the duration of the treatment. Unlike radiotherapy, which requires multiple sessions, The Vanquish system requires only one session. If necessary, several jets of steam can be administered to different points of the prostate during the same procedure.
Clinical trial underway
La current experimentation involves approximately 400 male patients over 50 with stage 2 or lower, non-metastatic prostate cancer. Researchers will follow participants for five years to monitor disease progression. To date, More than 180 patients have already received the treatment, and preliminary data look promising.
Prostate Cancer Treatment, Future Prospects
The system has already demonstrated its effectiveness in the treatment of other prostate disorders, which paved the way for this more ambitious experiment.
If this therapy proves effective, we could see a paradigm shift in prostate cancer treatment. The ability to offer a less invasive treatment, with faster recovery times and fewer side effects, would represent a significant advance in the fight against this widespread disease.
