Is it possible to eliminate prostate cancer with steam?

https://news.keckmedicine.org/can-you-steam-away-prostate-cancer/

Keck Medicine of USC is conducting a clinical trial to assess whether steam therapy can effectively treat prostate cancer while minimizing side effects. Traditional treatments like surgery and radiation often lead to urinary incontinence, impotence, and bowel dysfunction due to damage to surrounding tissues. This trial focuses on men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer, where the tumor is localized within the prostate gland.

The procedure uses MRI and ultrasound to guide a thin catheter through the urethra to the tumor, delivering targeted bursts of steam to destroy cancer cells without harming adjacent structures. Unlike surgery or radiation, this outpatient therapy requires only a single session, potentially preserving urinary and sexual function.

With over 180 procedures completed nationwide, this trial could revolutionize prostate cancer treatment by offering a less invasive option. Keck Medicine is the only Los Angeles site participating, and patients will be monitored for five years to assess long-term outcomes. The study is sponsored by Francis Medical, Inc., which developed the Vanquish® Water Vapor Ablation System. Dr. Andre Abreu, the lead investigator, highlights the potential of innovative therapies like steam ablation to improve patients’ quality of life while effectively treating cancer.

Keck Medicine of USC. (n.d.). Can you steam away prostate cancer? Retrieved March 20, 2025, from https://news.keckmedicine.org/can-you-steam-away-prostate-cancer/