Prostate cancer is typically treated with surgery or radiation, but both methods can cause significant side effects. A new clinical trial is exploring the safety and efficacy of using steam blasts to target and eliminate cancer cells.
Nationwide Clinical Trial with Keck Medicine
Keck Medicine of USC is part of a national clinical trial testing a water vapor system for prostate cancer. The goal is to assess whether this minimally invasive approach, which uses precise doses of steam to destroy cancer cells, could serve as a safe and effective alternative to surgery or radiation. Consequently, this could offer new hope to patients seeking less disruptive treatment options.
The trial is underway at several locations nationwide; however, Keck Medicine of USC is the sole site in the Los Angeles region. Currently, it is recruiting patients with localized prostate cancer, and importantly, their outcomes will be monitored over a five-year period to evaluate the long-term safety and success of the treatment.
How the Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System Works
The system being tested, known as the Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System, was developed by Francis Medical, Inc. Specifically, it delivers carefully controlled doses of heated water vapor directly to the prostate gland, aiming to eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
Minimally Invasive Procedure for Maximum Precision
During the procedure, the patient is placed under general anesthesia. Then, a catheter is guided through the urethra, delivering a fine needle into the tumor. A brief burst of steam is released, which heats and kills cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.
Although heat-based therapies have been used for years, this method is highly precise and targeted. Researchers are hopeful that this method could offer a less invasive, more convenient treatment for prostate cancer. If successful, it could significantly reduce the side effects associated with traditional treatments, improving patients’ quality of life.
