ProRAFT - Radiofrequency Ablation Focal Treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Prospective Development Study evaluating Focal Therapy using Encage™ Coiled Bipolar Radiofrequency Ablation in Men with Localised Prostate Cancer
IRAS ID
146896
Contact name
Hashim Uddin Ahmed
Contact email
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Current treatments for early prostate cancer use radiation or surgery to treat the whole prostate. This causes damage to surrounding structures that control erections and urine flow and can also damage the back passage. This leads to leakage of urine, poor sexual function and back passage diarrhoea, bleeding and discomfort.
Our group has shown that treating only the areas of cancer with heat, cold, or laser-light, can lead to a low rate of these side-effects. The cancer control rates, however, can vary and are not consistent. We think we can do better by using a different type of technology called Encage™, a coiled radiofrequency based bipolar device.
This new type of treatment might be more precise and better-controlled for prostate treatment than others we have used. However, we must test these characteristics properly within a clinical trial. If it is found to be of value, this treatment could reduce the burden of side-effects that men currently face, in the future.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0009
Date of REC Opinion
19 Jan 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion