Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality for males in the United States. Conventional therapies include brachytherapy and surgery, both of which sometimes result in side effects such as incontinence and sexual dysfunction.

The objective of this research is to create an image-guided, minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer. Using newly emerging techniques in interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) and nuclear imaging, we are developing an iMRI-guided thermal therapy approach for prostate cancer. Although MRI provides excellent anatomical detail, it does not reliably localize prostate tumor. Hence, we will use monoclonal antibody, nuclear medicine imaging techniques to identify the cancer. Advanced computer techniques will allow one to fuse the complementary information from MRI and nuclear medicine studies to provide improved guidance to the tumor. There are many suitable emerging minimally invasive treatments such as ultrasound ablation, cryogenic therapy, and localized drug release devices. The current focus will be radio-frequency thermal ablation. An important advantage of this method is that a physician can use iMRI to visualize the treated region and to measure temperatures. This allows the tumor to be adequately treated with minimal damage to nearby, healthy tissues.

With this research, we will create a minimally invasive treatment method for prostate cancer that requires no radiation, surgery, or hospitalization. With the improved accuracy of guidance and treatment provided by the new method, we hope to improve outcomes and to reduce the side effects of conventional therapies.