3/4/2007
Cryotherapy Endorsed by the European Association
of Urology for the Treatment of Prostate
Cancer
The prestigious European Association
of Urology (EAU) has recognised the important
role of cryotherapy
in treating cancer of the prostate by including
this therapy for the first time in its new
guidelines on prostate
cancer. Launched at the EAU’s recent
22nd annual Congress in Berlin, these guidelines
support the use of cryosurgical
ablation of the prostate (CSAP) as a
possible alternative treatment method for
patients with clinically localised cancer
of the prostate.
All other minimally invasive treatment options, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radiofrequency interstitial tumour ablation (RITA), microwaves and electro surgery, are all still considered to be experimental or investigational by the EAU.
The EAU recognises the fact that prostate cancer is one the principal medical problems facing the male population today1. In Europe, an estimated 2.6 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed each year1. Prostate cancer constitutes about 11% of all male cancers in Europe and accounts for 9% of all cancer deaths among men within the European Union1. CSAP is now recommended as a method for patients unfit for surgery or for those with a life expectancy of less than 10 years. Cryotherapy
uses freezing techniques to induce cell
death by dehydration resulting in protein
denaturation, direct rupture of cellular
membranes by ice crystals and vascular stasis
and microthrombi.
This independent endorsement
by the EAU recognizes the recent advances
made in cryoblation. Leading the way in
the field, Galil Medical’s Presice™ Cryoablation
System revolutionises minimally invasive
cryotherapy
with a state-of-the-art freezing technology,
patented 17
g needle design with sharper tips, planning
and simulation software, and streamlined
workflow. The system has been designed to
achieve optimal therapeutic benefit with
minimal intervention and is licensed for
the cryotherapy
treatment for renal and prostate cancer.
In December 2006, Galil Medical completed the purchase of its cryotherapy assets from Oncura to spearhead expansion into Europe, and its acquisition of this innovative technology is enabling the company to expand into new therapeutic areas throughout Europe.
For further information on Galil Medical’s Presice™ Cryotherapy System, please contact Galil Medical directly on +44 293 459848 or go to www.galilmedical.com.
For further information please contact:
Cosima Zerdik or Helena Symeou at
hsdcommunications, Gable House, 40 High Street,
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1ER
Telephone: 01923 777277 Fax: 01923 777275
Email: cosima.zerdik@hsdcomm.com
Reference:
1. European Association of Urology, Guidelines on Prostate Cancer 2007, A. Heidenreich, G. Aus, C.C. Abbou, M. Bolla, S. Joniau, V. Matveev, H-P. Schmid, F. Zattoni
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