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Updated: Sep 29, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Targeted Ablation Using Ultrasound-Guided Irreversible Electroporation of Index Tumors (TARGET Study): Prospective
Jonathan Fainberg1, Taehyoung Lee1, Emily A Vertosick1
1Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Urology Division, New York, New York.
Introduction:
We studied patient-reported functional outcomes, safety, and oncologic efficacy of focal irreversible electroporation as a primary treatment for intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Methods:
Between February 2015 and April 2017, 20 consecutive patients elected irreversible electroporation and underwent 22 treatments. All underwent MRI-targeted and systematic transrectal biopsies. Eligibility criteria were grade group 2/3 prostate cancer in a maximum of 2 adjacent sextant prostate sectors in 1 hemigland without extraprostatic extension on MRI. Ablation was performed with a 5-mm cancer margin. Any grade group 1 cancer outside mapped index lesion was untreated. Outcome measures were based on the Prostate Quality of Life Survey, Male Sexual Health Questionnaire, and MRI-targeted and systematic biopsies at 3 and 12 months.
Results:
Nineteen patients completed irreversible electroporation. One had electrocardiographic changes, and irreversible electroporation was aborted. No deterioration was detected in urinary or sexual domains (-0.2, 95% CI -1.4, 0.9, P = .7, and -1.9, 95% CI -10.1, 6.4, P = .6, respectively) or health-related quality of life (-0.2, 95% CI -1.4, 1.0, P = .7) at 6 months post ablation. Ejaculation volume decreased at 12 months (-1.5 points, 95% CI -2.4, -0.5, P = .003). At 12 months of follow-up, 14/19 patients (74%, 95% CI 49%, 91%) had no clinically significant cancer anywhere in the prostate. Radical treatment-free survival was 79% at 2 years (95% CI 53%, 92%) and 73% at 4 years (95% CI 47%, 88%).
Conclusions:
Our data show promising oncologic and functional outcomes following focal irreversible electroporation treatment for carefully selected patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer. Further research should compare irreversible electroporation with active surveillance.
Insights
Focal irreversible electroporation shows promising results for intermediate-risk prostate cancer, maintaining functional outcomes and demonstrating oncologic efficacy. Further studies are needed to compare this treatment with active surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Intermediate-risk prostate cancer requires effective primary treatment options.
- Focal irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging minimally invasive therapy.
- Assessing functional outcomes and oncologic control is crucial for treatment selection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient-reported functional outcomes, safety, and oncologic efficacy of focal IRE.
- To determine the feasibility of focal IRE as a primary treatment for intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study of 20 patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer undergoing focal IRE.
- Eligibility criteria included specific cancer characteristics and absence of extraprostatic extension.
- Outcomes assessed using validated quality of life surveys and serial biopsies.
Main Results:
- Focal IRE was completed in 19 patients with one discontinuation due to cardiac events.
- No significant decline in urinary or sexual function was observed at 6 months.
- At 12 months, 74% of patients had no significant cancer, and 4-year radical treatment-free survival was 73%.
Conclusions:
- Focal irreversible electroporation demonstrates promising oncologic and functional outcomes in selected intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients.
- The treatment appears safe and preserves quality of life.
- Comparative studies with active surveillance are warranted.
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