MRI Plays Key Role In Future Of Prostate Cancer Treatment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) February 7, 2012 -- BOSTON – Dr. Stephen Scionti, Founder and Director of the Scionti Prostate Center of Boston, has co-authored a new article on the role of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) in identifying and treating early stage prostate cancer patients while greatly reducing or even eliminating the risk of damaging side effects from radical surgery.

Surgical prostate removal is often recommended to early stage patients. According to Dr. Scionti, this may be overtreating those with only one small tumor location. “It’s like going after a mouse with an elephant gun,” he says. He is a contributor to the article entitled “Role of MRI in Minimally Invasive Focal Ablative Therapy for Prostate Cancer.”

The article, published online December 2011 by the American Journal of Roentgenology (American Roentgen Ray Society), identifies four areas in which MRI supports targeted detection and treatment options: 1) identify appropriate candidates for a focal or “lumpectomy” approach to treatment; 2) guide minimally invasive ablative therapies in real time; 3) evaluate the effectiveness of ablation therapy shortly after treatment; and 4) assess any residual or recurrent tumor after ablation therapy.

As many as one-third of prostate cancer patients may qualify for a non-surgical ablation treatment (destruction) of tumor. Minimally invasive ablation technologies have demonstrated equal success in controlling prostate cancer, but with a much lower risk of incontinence and impotence, the two surgery side effects most feared by patients. Ablation can be targeted and delivered with extreme cold (cryotherapy) or extreme heat (high intensity focused ultrasound or HIFU, laser, and vascular targeted photodynamic therapy).

Dr. Scionti is one of world's foremost practitioners of both cryotherapy and HIFU. He works with leading medical and academic centers in ablation treatment, research, and physician training. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Scionti actively researches and lectures on the outcomes and technology associated with alternative prostate cancer therapies.

Dr. Scionti is a member physician of Mass Bay Urology, located at 100 Highland Street, Suite 126, Milton, MA 02186, phone (617)696-1826. Contact Dr. Scionti there or drscionti@yahoo.com.

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