A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer

Abstract Background Prostate cancer is a prevalent condition among older males, with radical prostatectomy being the standard treatment. However, this procedure can inevitably impact urinary and sexual functions. Irreversible electroporation represents an innovative therapeutic approach that employs...

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Main Authors: Zhi-Yu Xia, Jun Yang, Fan Xiao, Jin-Zhou Xu, Xing-Yu Zhong, Shao-Gang Wang, Qi-Dong Xia
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-03-01
Series:Discover Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02025-0
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author Zhi-Yu Xia
Jun Yang
Fan Xiao
Jin-Zhou Xu
Xing-Yu Zhong
Shao-Gang Wang
Qi-Dong Xia
author_facet Zhi-Yu Xia
Jun Yang
Fan Xiao
Jin-Zhou Xu
Xing-Yu Zhong
Shao-Gang Wang
Qi-Dong Xia
author_sort Zhi-Yu Xia
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Prostate cancer is a prevalent condition among older males, with radical prostatectomy being the standard treatment. However, this procedure can inevitably impact urinary and sexual functions. Irreversible electroporation represents an innovative therapeutic approach that employs high-voltage electrical pulses to selectively eradicate tumor cells, potentially preserving vital normal tissue. Materials and methods This follow-up study included 11 older prostate cancer patients who underwent IRE therapy from November 2021 to December 2023. The cohort was aged 66–77 years with a median preoperative PSA of 9.46 ng/mL. Based on the EAU risk groups classification, patients were divided into low (n = 4), intermediate (n = 6), and high-risk (n = 1) groups. Follow-up exams were conducted every 3 to 6 months to assess PSA levels, imaging, and urinary/sexual function. Results Postoperatively, there was a significant decline in PSA levels across all patients, with a mean nadir of 0.78 ng/mL. The cumulative clinically significant prostate cancer recurrence rate was 27.3% at 30 months. Complications included urinary issues in 3 patients (27.3%), urethral pain in 2 patients (18.2%), and sexual dysfunction in 1 patient (9.1%). Conclusion This study suggests that IRE therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for older prostate cancer patients, with promising results in preserving urinary and sexual functions. However, the recurrence rate is higher than historical controls, indicating the need for further research to optimize treatment outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-282807bb7cde49c78d0d56fd0a3617d42025-08-20T02:59:57ZengSpringerDiscover Oncology2730-60112025-03-011611810.1007/s12672-025-02025-0A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancerZhi-Yu Xia0Jun Yang1Fan Xiao2Jin-Zhou Xu3Xing-Yu Zhong4Shao-Gang Wang5Qi-Dong Xia6Department and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyDepartment and Institute of of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background Prostate cancer is a prevalent condition among older males, with radical prostatectomy being the standard treatment. However, this procedure can inevitably impact urinary and sexual functions. Irreversible electroporation represents an innovative therapeutic approach that employs high-voltage electrical pulses to selectively eradicate tumor cells, potentially preserving vital normal tissue. Materials and methods This follow-up study included 11 older prostate cancer patients who underwent IRE therapy from November 2021 to December 2023. The cohort was aged 66–77 years with a median preoperative PSA of 9.46 ng/mL. Based on the EAU risk groups classification, patients were divided into low (n = 4), intermediate (n = 6), and high-risk (n = 1) groups. Follow-up exams were conducted every 3 to 6 months to assess PSA levels, imaging, and urinary/sexual function. Results Postoperatively, there was a significant decline in PSA levels across all patients, with a mean nadir of 0.78 ng/mL. The cumulative clinically significant prostate cancer recurrence rate was 27.3% at 30 months. Complications included urinary issues in 3 patients (27.3%), urethral pain in 2 patients (18.2%), and sexual dysfunction in 1 patient (9.1%). Conclusion This study suggests that IRE therapy is a safe and effective treatment option for older prostate cancer patients, with promising results in preserving urinary and sexual functions. However, the recurrence rate is higher than historical controls, indicating the need for further research to optimize treatment outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02025-0Irreversible electroporationProstate cancerFollow-upComplicationsOncological outcomes
spellingShingle Zhi-Yu Xia
Jun Yang
Fan Xiao
Jin-Zhou Xu
Xing-Yu Zhong
Shao-Gang Wang
Qi-Dong Xia
A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
Discover Oncology
Irreversible electroporation
Prostate cancer
Follow-up
Complications
Oncological outcomes
title A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
title_full A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
title_fullStr A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
title_full_unstemmed A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
title_short A preliminary follow-up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
title_sort preliminary follow up study on irreversible electroporation therapy in older patients with prostate cancer
topic Irreversible electroporation
Prostate cancer
Follow-up
Complications
Oncological outcomes
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s12672-025-02025-0
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