Philadelphia-based Fox Chase Cancer Center is trying a less invasive treatment for prostate cancer that does not necessitate removal of the organ, CBS Philadelphia reported March 21.
The NanoKnife System uses needle-like probes charged with electrical energy to kill malignant cells. The technology is part of a trial to determine whether the patient remains cancer free for a year or more, according to the report, and can eliminate serious side effects like incontinence or impotence associated with traditional treatments.
"Here we're kind of balancing cancer treatment but also keeping the patient with good functional outcomes," Andres Correa, MD, urologic oncologist at Fox Chase, told CBS News.
The treatment can only be used for certain patients with localized cancer with a treatment space under two centimeters.