Laser Test for
Prostate Cancer
Source:
ustoo.org/screamoutput/article.html?SMContentIndex=55&SMContentSet=0
Photodynamic
Therapy (PDT) to Safely Treat Prostate Cancer
Western Mail
-
January 2, 2004
 RESEARCHERS
are hoping that lasers could be used to help treat prostate cancer patients and
prevent them experiencing the side effects of more invasive surgery.
A team at University
College London is carrying out trials using photodynamic therapy (PDT) to safely
treat prostate cancer - the most common form of male cancer.
The technique is
already used to treat some cancers, including those in the head, neck, lungs and
esophagus.
It uses lasers or
other light sources combined with light sensitive drugs which are injected into
the patient's body to kill cancer cells.
The drugs circulate
to all tissues but do not start to work until they are activated by the laser or
another light source.
Caroline Moore,
clinical research fellow at UCL's National Medical Laser Centre, said, 'If
proved effective, photodynamic therapy could revolutionize the treatment of
prostate cancer.
'There are currently
a number of effective treatments, and survival rates are high, but they can have
significant effects on continence and erectile function, which negatively affect
patients' quality of life.'
The project has been
awarded a pounds 100,000 grant by the Bupa Foundation, a charitable organization
which funds medical research.
Mrs. Moore said men
could eventually have photodynamic therapy as outpatient treatment, making it
more convenient.
Mark Emberton, a
senior lecturer in oncological urology at the Institute of Urology at UCL,
added, 'This project will determine whether PDT has the characteristics that a
future prostate cancer treatment needs to have.
'We are particularly
keen to establish whether we can achieve targeted destruction of tumour, whilst
at the same time preserve both the anatomy of the prostate and the function of
the important nerves to preserve potency and muscles to preserve continence.'
Dr Andrew
Vallance-Owen, governor of the Bupa Foundation and its medical director, said,
'We look forward to seeing the results of these studies over the coming years
and hope they will benefit patients directly.'
(C) 2004 Western Mail. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights
Reserved
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