TULSA-PRO MRI-Guided Prostate Ablation Expands to Sutter Health and SSM Health as Incision-Free Alternative to Surgery
核心洞察
Sutter's CPMC Van Ness Campus (搜索) performed its first TULSA-PRO (搜索) procedure on Aug. 6, offering MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation for prostate cancer (搜索) and BPH.
SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (搜索) has become a regional leader in the Midwest for TULSA-PRO (搜索), an incision-free focal therapy for localized prostate cancer (搜索).
Urologists report the targeted approach reduces risks of urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction compared with traditional surgery and radiation.
Two U.S. health systems have introduced TULSA-PRO (搜索)® (Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation), an MRI-guided, incision-free treatment for appropriately selected patients with prostate cancer (搜索) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (搜索) (BPH), positioning the technology as an alternative to surgery and radiation for men concerned about functional outcomes.
Sutter's CPMC Van Ness Campus (搜索) performed its first TULSA-PRO (搜索) procedure on Aug. 6, with urologist Dr. Brian Grady of Sutter West Bay Medical Group operating in partnership with CPMC radiologists Dr. Hashem Al-Dujaili, Dr. Olufoladare Olorunsola and chief radiologist Dr. Nazia Jafri. The patient, Charles Sandvig, a San Francisco architect and project management consultant, researched the option extensively before consenting to be first.
Prostate cancer (搜索) is one of the most common cancers among American men, affecting about one in eight over the course of their lives, according to Sutter Health. Surgery and radiation can be effective but may affect urinary, bowel and sexual function — a tradeoff that shapes treatment decisions.
How the Procedure Works
During TULSA-PRO (搜索), a thin ultrasound device is inserted through the urethra while the patient lies inside an MRI scanner. Real-time MRI imaging allows physicians to visualize the prostate throughout treatment and precisely target diseased tissue while helping protect nearby healthy structures. Sutter Health describes the approach as using thermal mapping to delineate the treatment zone, with everything inside the outlined boundary receiving therapy.
"For appropriately selected patients, the goal is to treat the cancer while minimizing the impact on the functions that matter to quality of life," Dr. Grady said.
SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (搜索), one of the few hospitals in the Midwest offering the technology, describes TULSA-PRO (搜索) as a form of focal treatment. "This is a form of focal treatment for prostate cancer (搜索), meaning we can address only the affected area and spare the rest of the prostate," said Dr. Sameer Siddiqui, a urologist at the hospital. "By doing so, we significantly reduce the risk of side effects. Issues commonly associated with traditional treatments, such as sexual dysfunction or incontinence, occur far less frequently with this approach, which is tremendously exciting for our patients."
Dr. Siddiqui was among the first surgeons in the Midwest to introduce TULSA-PRO (搜索), according to SSM Health (搜索).
Patient Selection and Reported Outcomes
SSM Health (搜索) lists potential benefits for eligible patients as lower risk of urinary incontinence, better preservation of sexual function, minimal post-procedure pain, and shorter recovery times compared with traditional surgery. The system notes the procedure is not appropriate for every patient.
Robert McCauley, diagnosed with localized prostate cancer (搜索) after elevated prostate-specific antigen (搜索) (PSA) levels, further testing and a biopsy, initially was told the plan was to monitor the disease. He sought alternatives after learning about long-term risks of incontinence and sexual dysfunction with conventional treatment.
"I'm an active person," McCauley said. "I wasn't ready to give up quality of life, especially intimacy with my wife of more than 45 years. When I really understood the long-term risks of incontinence and sexual dysfunction, I knew I needed to look for something different."
Following additional imaging that confirmed he was a candidate, McCauley underwent the procedure. He went home with a catheter for several days. Six months after treatment, he reported that early minor urinary issues had resolved and that sexual function was preserved.
"Any minor urinary issues I experienced early on are completely gone," he said. "And on the intimacy side, I'm doing very well. I'll take where I am now over what I was initially told to expect with surgery."
Ongoing follow-up appointments and healthy PSA levels have reinforced his confidence in the decision, he said.
Building Institutional Programs
Bringing TULSA-PRO (搜索) to Sutter's CPMC Van Ness Campus (搜索) was a two-year effort involving urology, radiology, anesthesiology and specialized clinical care teams. Wes Ayres, chief operating officer at the medical center, framed the addition as part of a broader effort to expand treatment options for prostate cancer (搜索) and BPH.
"At Sutter, we are committed to providing access to high-quality care close to home," Ayres said. "This technology broadens what is available to men while keeping their everyday quality of life at the center of the conversation."
Sandvig said the technology's use of thermal mapping appealed to his problem-solving instincts. "Once I learned how the thermal mapping worked, it felt like the right fit," he said, adding that he hoped his experience would give other men more information when making treatment decisions.
McCauley has since spoken with several men navigating similar diagnoses, one of whom pursued TULSA-PRO (搜索) after hearing his account, and has co-presented with Dr. Siddiqui about the procedure and its patient impact.
"I feel a responsibility to tell other men about this option," McCauley said. "Too many men only hear about surgery or radiation because that's what's most commonly offered."