Thomas Josef Vogl MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Florian Mayer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Heinz Mayer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stefan Zangos MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Purpose: To evaluate a novel technique of MR-guided galvanotherapy (electro-chemical therapy (ECT)) for the treatment of prostate cancer in a phase-III trial.

Material and Methods: Twenty-three patients with histologically proven prostate cancer were prospectively treated with MR-guided galvanotherapy. After transgluteal puncturing of the prostate under local anesthesia two MR compatible electrodes were positioned under MR guidance in the right and left lobe of the prostate. The patients were treated three times with a weekly time interval, and a total of 350 Coulomb was applied to the localized cancer and the prostate gland. The follow-up was performed in a time interval of six months using laboratory data (PSA), MRI and 1H-MR spectroscopy.

Results: All patients tolerated the MR-guided galvanotherapy well without any major side effects or complications. Twelve of the thirty patients had some urinating problems as undesirable effects, which were, however, all reversible. In the follow-up MR evaluation twenty-two of the patients were classified as “stable disease”. In five patients MRI showed a homogenization of the neoplastic area. In one patient the size of the tumor was reduced by 30% in the 12-month follow-up. In two patients a progression was documented. The results of the PSA values presented an average decrease from 12.6 ng/ml to 7.75 ng/ml (38.5%) post galvanotherapy. The average of the second follow-up after six months was 5.92 ng/ml, which showed a total decrease of 53.1%. The third and last PSA test showed a depletion of 64.6% to an absolute average value of 4.74 ng/ml.

Conclusion: MR-guided galvanotherapy possibly results in a local control of limited prostatic carcinoma with a concomitant reduction in the PSA value.

Vogl, T, Mayer, F, Mayer, H, Zangos, S, MR-guided Galvanotherapy for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer: Results of a Phase-III Trial.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4409653.html