Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Unilateral prostate cancer cannot be accurately predicted in low-risk patients
Hendrik Isbarn1, Pierre I Karakiewicz, Susanne Vogel
1Martiniclinic, Prostate Cancer Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. hendrikisbarn@gmail.com
Purpose:
Hemiablative therapy (HAT) is increasing in popularity for treatment of patients with low-risk prostate cancer (PCa). The validity of this therapeutic modality, which exclusively treats PCa within a single prostate lobe, rests on accurate staging. We tested the accuracy of unilaterally unremarkable biopsy findings in cases of low-risk PCa patients who are potential candidates for HAT.
Methods And Materials:
The study population consisted of 243 men with clinical stage
Results:
Despite unilateral stage at biopsy, bilateral or even non-organ-confined PCa was reported in 64% of all patients. In multivariable analyses, no variable could clearly and independently predict the presence of unilateral PCa. This was reflected in an overall accuracy of 58% (95% confidence interval, 50.6-65.8%).
Conclusions:
Two-thirds of patients with unilateral low-risk PCa, confirmed by clinical stage and biopsy findings, have bilateral or non-organ-confined PCa at radical prostatectomy. This alarming finding questions the safety and validity of HAT.
