Prostate laser ablation review reports biopsy recurrence and mixed functional results
A review of focal laser ablation found clinically significant cancer on follow-up biopsies in some patients, alongside a decline in sexual function and an uncertain urinary result.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
The review assessed cancer recurrence and function after focal laser ablation. Follow-up biopsies detected clinically significant cancer in some patients. Sexual function decreased statistically, although the authors judged the change not clinically significant; urinary function did not change significantly. The abstract does not establish that this approach matches other treatments for long-term cancer control.
Patient selection, follow-up protocols and recurrence definitions differed between studies. High-quality comparative evidence was limited, restricting comparisons with other treatments and how broadly these results can be applied.
What researchers found
Clinically significant cancer recurrence on biopsy
Following focal laser ablation; pooled recurrence proportion with no stated comparator. Biopsy assessment timing is not reported.
Cancer markers are separate
The review also reported a fall in prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, after treatment. A change in this blood marker is a separate measurement from cancer detected on biopsy and does not itself establish durable cancer control.
Reading the functional outcomes
A statistically detectable decline in sexual function can coexist with a judgment that the change is not clinically meaningful. The nonsignificant urinary finding likewise does not prove that urinary function was unchanged for every patient.
The original publication
Focal laser ablation in prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Bushati Y, Guo AA, Muston BT et al.
BJU Int · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41188055
- Record checked
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