European Association Of Urology Endorses Cryotherapy For Prostate Cancer

European Association Of Urology (EAU) has decided to endorse
cryotherapy for prostate cancer:

Cryotherapy Endorsed By The European Association Of Urology For
Treatment Of Prostate Cancer
April 4, 2007
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"LONDON -- The prestigious European Association of Urology
(EAU) has recognized the important role of cryotherapy in
treating cancer of the prostate by including this therapy for
the first time in its new guidelines on prostate cancer.
Launched at the EAU's recent 22nd annual Congress in Berlin,
these guidelines support the use of cryosurgical ablation of
the prostate (CSAP) as a possible alternative treatment method
for patients with clinically localised cancer of the prostate.

All other minimally invasive treatment options, such as high-
intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radiofrequency
interstitial tumour ablation (RITA), microwaves and electro
surgery, are all still considered to be experimental or
investigational by the EAU.

The EAU recognises the fact that prostate cancer is one the
principal medical problems facing the male population today(1).
In Europe, an estimated 2.6 million new cases of cancer are
diagnosed each year(1). Prostate cancer constitutes about 11%
of all male cancers in Europe and accounts for 9% of all cancer
deaths among men within the European Union(1). CSAP is now
recommended as a method for patients unfit for surgery or for
those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years.

Cryotherapy uses freezing techniques to induce cell death by
dehydration resulting in protein denaturation, direct rupture
of cellular membranes by ice crystals and vascular stasis and
microthrombi.

This independent endorsement by the EAU recognizes the recent
advances made in cryoablation. Leading the way in the field,
Galil Medical's Presice(TM) Cryoablation System revolutionises
minimally invasive cryotherapy with a state-of-the-art freezing
technology, patented 17g needle design with sharper tips,
planning and simulation software, and streamlined workflow. The
system has been designed to achieve optimal therapeutic benefit
with minimal intervention and is licensed for the cryotherapy
treatment for renal and prostate cancer. ..."


--
Matti Narkia