A clinical trial tests if hot water vapor can
attack cancer cells, in new non-surgical approach to prostate
cancer treatment
LAGUNA
HILLS, Calif., May 7, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- MemorialCare Cancer Institute at
Saddleback Medical Center is the only location in Orange County – and one of only two in
California – to offer a new,
innovative way to treat prostate cancer patients with water vapor.
This study, VAPOR 2, utilizes a minimally invasive and nonsurgical
procedure that employs water vapor to target and destroy the walls
of the cancer cells while minimizing damage to the surrounding
healthy prostate tissue.
With the VAPOR 2 study, water vapor technology applies the
thermal energy stored in a few drops of sterile water through a
transurethral procedure – entering through the urethra – to get
directly to the cancerous tissue. The heat from the water vapor
destroys the cancerous cells by causing them to burst and die,
while not harming the healthy surrounding tissue. This treatment
does not require chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery; and as such,
patients are not subjected to the harsh side effects that can come
from traditional cancer treatments.
"If this trial shows positive results, it will be the first of
its kind of prostate cancer care that doesn't have the side effects
of radiation, chemotherapy and surgery," said Daniel Su, M.D., medical director, urology,
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. "The VAPOR2 study utilizes
a gentle and natural approach, by using water rather than chemicals
to kill the cancerous cells."
As the second most common cancer in U.S. men, the American
Cancer Society estimates one in eight American men will be
diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Prostate
cancer is a serious disease often treated with therapies that cause
complications, such as urinary incontinence and erectile
dysfunction. This treatment offers men an opportunity to treat
their prostate cancer with minimal to no side effects, that doesn't
impede their quality of life as they receive cancer care.
"We are hopeful that if this trial is effective, more men will
be open to being screened in the first place," says Dr. Su. "Many
men hear prostate screening and don't want to know the outcome
because they are worried about the side effects, such as urinary
incontinence or erectile dysfunction. If this study is a success,
we can attack the cancerous cells while mitigating those side
effects."
"We believe clinical trials are the front line in winning the
battle against cancer," says Elizabeth "Liz" Acord, vice president,
clinical integration, MemorialCare Cancer Institute. "We are
involved in more than 100 of the world's most promising research
protocols, including the VAPOR 2 Study."
MemorialCare Cancer Institute is proud and committed to
providing the highest quality, comprehensive care to help patients
and their loved ones as they go through their cancer journey –
offering a lifetime of cancer care. MemorialCare Cancer Institute
multidisciplinary teams of oncologists, surgeons, nurses, social
workers, and other specialists are highly skilled and experienced
in the field of oncology. The care teams are passionate about
prevention, early detection, and innovative cancer treatments, like
the VAPOR 2 Study, utilizing the most advanced technology to
deliver the best possible care.
To learn more about the VAPOR 2 Study, visit
memorialcare.org/research.
About MemorialCare Saddleback Medical
Center
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center is a
member of MemorialCare, a not-for-profit, integrated
health care delivery System. Saddleback Medical
Center received U.S. News & World
Report high performance rankings for Abdominal
Aortic Aneurysm, Congestive Heart Failure, COPD,
Diabetes, Heart Attack, Kidney Failure, Knee Replacement,
Pneumonia, and Stroke. It was named among Healthgrade's
America's 250 Best Hospitals, Top 50 U.S.
Cardiovascular Hospitals, Orange County
Register Best Orange County Hospitals and Top
Workplaces; received Magnet Nursing Excellence designation and
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Care
Gold Plus and among first U.S. hospitals
earning Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center
Certification and Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation.
Centers of Excellence include cancer, heart, orthopedics, spine,
neuroscience, gastroenterology, emergency and critical
care, breast health, imaging, women's health, obstetrics,
geriatrics, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted surgery. To
learn more, visit
memorialcare.org/saddleback.
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SOURCE MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center