[Oct. 19, 2023: Staff Writer, The Brighter Side of News]
The ‘game-changing’ treatment uses electrical currents to destroy hard-to-reach tumors. (Credit: Creative Commons)
An operation lasting less than an hour, which uses electrical currents to destroy inaccessible tumors, has provided hope for thousands of men suffering from prostate cancer in the UK. Described as a “game-changing” treatment, the innovative procedure could eventually lead to a cure. Surgeons have praised the “surprisingly simple and quick” technique known as the ‘NanoKnife’ operation.
The ‘NanoKnife’ technology directs electric shocks towards the tumor, triggering a process called irreversible electroporation. This approach opens the tumor’s cell membrane less intrusively than traditional methods, thereby reducing potential damage to adjacent organs and tissues.
By adopting this revolutionary approach, physicians can target tumors that are typically challenging to reach. This treatment opens up new opportunities for patients suffering from prostate cancer, setting the stage for more simple and effective treatments.
More than 50,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year, prompting the NHS to introduce nanoknife therapy as an alternative treatment option. Traditional treatment of prostate cancer involves radiotherapy or prostate removal surgery, which often results in complications such as incontinence, urinary problems and sexual dysfunction.
In contrast, nanoknife therapy has less risk of side effects and can be performed more efficiently. The first six NanoKnife operations on the NHS were conducted by UCLH surgeons.
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Professor Mark Emberton, a consultant urologist, expressed his views on the treatment and said it offers a new approach to cell destruction. He further said that it is a simple technique that can be easily taught to surgeons, making it a game-changer in the field of medicine.
According to Emberton, the NanoKnife has the potential to become a standard treatment for prostate cancer, unlike targeted therapies that are currently only available in major specialized centers.
The professor explained that day surgery could help reduce strain on the NHS during periods of high demand, as it eliminates the need for patients to stay in hospital overnight and allows better use of operating theaters .
One of the recipients of the NHS treatment, Neil Gershon, expressed his attraction to the procedure, highlighting the low risk of collateral damage.
Describing her experience, she said, “It was done in a day, which was fantastic. After the general anesthesia wore off, I felt absolutely fine, no discomfort. It couldn’t have been better.”
Doctors pass an electric current through a needle directly into the tumor using electroporation (nanoknife) to kill cancer cells. (Credit: Creative Commons)
Natalia Norori, knowledge manager at Prostate Cancer UK, said the therapy ‘could make a big difference to the quality of life for men with localized prostate cancer.’
The NanoKnife, manufactured by AngioDynamics, uses electrodes to conduct rapid electrical pulses that penetrate the tumor and kill cancer cells.
Experts revealed that using MRI scanning to guide tiny pulses makes it possible to target a precise area. This approach ensures that surrounding healthy cells remain untouched and protected.
Consultant urologist Alistair Gray, who led the first operation using the technique, and his team. (Credit: Eddie Mulholland)
According to Natalia Norori, knowledge manager at Prostate Cancer UK, preliminary studies indicate that treatments like the NanoKnife could potentially treat prostate cancer as well as reduce side effects for men. This technology is one of several focal therapy types on the horizon that have been developed to precisely target the tumor and minimize damage to the rest of the prostate.
The efficacy of NanoKnife can significantly improve the quality of life of men. However, larger clinical trials are needed to determine whether it is as effective as conventional treatments.
On the first day, the UCLH team performed six procedures, including one on 70-year-old Neil Gershon.
Despite the operation at UCLH, Norori said larger trials are needed to test the effectiveness of the NanoKnife.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer:
According to Mayo Clinic urologist Michelle Humphreys, MD, prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages.
Prostate cancer that is more advanced can cause signs and symptoms such as:
Causes of Prostate Cancer:
According to Dr. Humphries, it’s not clear what causes prostate cancer.
The prostate gland is located just below the bladder in men and surrounds the top of the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). (Credit: Getty Images)
Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate develop changes in their DNA. The cell’s DNA contains instructions that tell the cell what to do. The changes cause cells to grow and divide more quickly than normal cells. Abnormal cells survive, while other cells die.
prostate gland: The prostate gland is located just below the bladder in men and surrounds the top of the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). The primary function of the prostate is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm (seminal fluid).
Abnormal cells that accumulate form a tumor that can grow and invade nearby tissues. Over time, some abnormal cells may break off and spread to other parts of the body (metastasize).
Risk factors for prostate cancer:
The Mayo Clinic considers the following factors to increase the risk of prostate cancer:
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older age. As you age, the risk of prostate cancer increases. It is most common after the age of 50.
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Race. For reasons as yet unknown, black people have a higher risk of prostate cancer than people of other races. In black people, prostate cancer is also more likely to be aggressive or advanced.
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family history. Your risk may increase if a blood relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. In addition, if you have a family history of genes that increase your risk of breast cancer (BRCA1 or BRCA2) or a very strong family history of breast cancer, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher.
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obesity. Men who are obese may have a higher risk of prostate cancer than those who are a healthy weight, although studies have had mixed results. Cancer in obese people is more likely to be more aggressive and to return after initial treatment.
Prostate cancer prevention:
Dr. Humphries believes that people can reduce their risk of prostate cancer if they:
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Choose a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Fruits and vegetables contain many vitamins and nutrients that can contribute to your health.
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Whether you can prevent prostate cancer through diet has not yet been conclusively proven. But eating a healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables can improve your overall health.
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Choose healthy food instead of supplements. No studies have shown that supplements play any role in reducing your risk of prostate cancer. Instead, choose foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals so you can maintain healthy levels of vitamins in your body.
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Exercise most days of the week. Exercise improves your overall health, helps you maintain your weight and improves your mood. Try to exercise most days of the week. If you’re new to exercising, start slow and build up to more exercise time each day.
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Maintain a healthy weight. If your current weight is healthy, work to maintain it by choosing a healthy diet and exercising most days of the week. If you need to lose weight, add more exercise and reduce the number of calories you eat per day. Ask your doctor for help creating a plan for healthy weight loss.
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Talk to your doctor about your increased risk of prostate cancer. If you have a very high risk of prostate cancer, you and your doctor may consider medications or other treatments to reduce the risk. Some studies suggest that taking 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, including finasteride (Propecia, Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart), may reduce the overall risk of developing prostate cancer. These medicines are used to control enlargement of the prostate gland and hair loss.
However, some evidence suggests that people taking these drugs may have an increased risk of getting a more serious form of prostate cancer (high-grade prostate cancer). If you’re concerned about your risk of developing prostate cancer, talk to your doctor.
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