A groundbreaking clinical study demonstrates that TULSA therapy eliminated prostate cancer in 80% of participants.
Prostate cancer ranks among the most common cancers in men, with approximately 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually in France. Standard treatments like surgery or radiation are effective but often cause side effects, including urinary issues, bowel problems, and erectile dysfunction.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed TULSA (MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation), a minimally invasive alternative proven more effective in trials.
The procedure involves inserting a rod through the urethra to the prostate, where it emits precisely controlled sound waves to heat and destroy cancerous tissue while sparing healthy areas.
Sound waves are adjustable for shape, direction, and intensity. Performed in an MRI scanner, it enables real-time monitoring by physicians. It's outpatient with minimal recovery time.
In a study of 115 men with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer (non-metastatic), participants underwent TULSA for an average of 51 minutes. One year later, clinically significant cancers were eradicated in 80% of cases.
No intestinal or urinary complications occurred. Mild erectile dysfunction affected only a few. Prostate volume shrank dramatically—from 39 cm³ pre-treatment to 3.8 cm³ post-treatment—suggesting potential for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes urination difficulties.
Ongoing larger trials are planned. TULSA is already approved by U.S. and European health authorities.
In related prostate cancer research, a reliable urine test shows promise for early diagnosis, potentially replacing invasive digital exams and costly biopsies.
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