For years we have been constantly trying to optimize therapy for our patients. Prostate hyperthermia, namely the transurethral conducted one, has so far been the treatment of choice for patients with a carcinoma restricted to the prostate. This method has been very successful and has helped hundreds of patients. Now we have included a second, non-invasive therapy in our treatment concept to further improve and optimize the therapy. It is the so-called Photodynamic Tumor Therapy (PDT), a procedure specifically indicated for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
What ist Photodynamic Tumor Therapy (PDT)?
In Photodynamic Tumor Therapy (PDT) a harmless dye, namely indocyanine green (1CG), is infused into the patient. This liposomal dye accumulates selectively in the prostate tissue or prostate cancer itself. This process takes up to 24 hours, then low-level laser therapy is performed through the urethra in a transurethral way. The application of the catheter with the laser probe is painless because the urethra is anesthetized beforehand.
What is happening in the prostate during laser therapy?
The indocyanine green which has accumulated in the cancer tissue begins to fluoresce due to the laser light. The energy released in the process specifically destroys the cancer tissue, i.e. only cancer tissue is destroyed, healthy tissue is not attacked.
This form of prostate therapy is even more specific than transurethral thermotherapy, which also selectively destroys cancerous tissue, but is more prone to side effects, e.g. due to edema or possible temporary urinary retention. All of this is eliminated with the PDT without side effects.
We are very glad to have further improved the treatment of prostate cancer that is restricted to the prostate and to spare many patients mutilating surgery.
Please note that Photodynamic Tumor Therapy (PDT) is only suitable for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. For BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) PDT is not efficient.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
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