Tipo di tesi
Tesi di laurea magistrale LM6
Titolo
Focal laser ablation for low-and intermediate-favourable-risk prostate cancer: outcomes from an initial experience.
Dipartimento
RICERCA TRASLAZIONALE E DELLE NUOVE TECNOLOGIE IN MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA
Corso di studi
MEDICINA E CHIRURGIA
Parole chiave
- EchoLaser System
- focal laser ablation
- focal therapy
- functional outcomes
- localized prostate cancer
- minimally invasive treatment
- oncological outcomes
- prostate cancer
- quality of life
- transperineal laser ablation
Data inizio appello
23/06/2026
Consultabilità
Non consultabile
Data di rilascio
23/06/2096
Riassunto (Inglese)
The management of localized prostate cancer requires a careful balance between oncological control and preservation of quality of life. In recent years, focal therapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy for selected patients with low-risk and favourable intermediate-risk disease, aiming to selectively eradicate clinically significant cancer while minimizing treatment-related morbidity. Among the available focal technologies, Transperineal Laser Ablation performed using the EchoLaser™ system represents a minimally invasive image-guided approach designed to preserve urinary and sexual function while maintaining adequate local disease control.
This study evaluated the oncological, functional, and safety outcomes of TPLA focal therapy in patients with localized prostate cancer treated at the University Urology Unit of Pisa University Hospital. Twenty-three patients with low-risk or favourable intermediate-risk disease candidates to Active Surveillance therapy protocol were prospectively selected and monitored, thus retrospectively analysed after 24 months. Clinical, biochemical, radiological, and functional outcomes were assessed during follow-up.
TPLA was associated with a significant reduction in PSA and PSA density values, suggesting satisfactory local tumour control. Functional outcomes remained favourable, with complete preservation of urinary continence and no significant deterioration in erectile or ejaculatory function. The procedure also demonstrated a favourable safety profile, with a low incidence of treatment-related complications and a significant improvement in patient-reported quality of life.
Although longer follow-up and larger prospective studies are required to confirm long-term oncological efficacy, the findings of this study support the feasibility, safety, and promising functional outcomes of TPLA as a focal treatment option for carefully selected patients with localized prostate cancer.
