Cryoablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, irreversible electroporation, and vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy for prostate cancer: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract in brief

• The study reviews and combines data from multiple sources to evaluate the effectiveness of four minimally invasive treatments—Cryoablation (CA), High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), and Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP)—for prostate cancer, based on outcomes like biopsy results, survival rates, and disease progression.
• The meta-analysis includes 56 studies with over 7,300 participants, showing that all four treatments generally yield promising results with similar clinical outcomes, such as high rates of cancer-specific and overall survival, although some differences in disease-free survival are noted.
• Despite encouraging findings, the study emphasizes the need for larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials to better confirm these treatments’ effectiveness and establish their roles in prostate cancer management.