Magnets put heat on prostate cancer

Thousands of UK men suffer from prostate cancer

Implanted magnetic rods could be a new treatment for prostate cancer, say US researchers.

They say that, if proved successful, the technique could rid men of the cancer with fewer side-effects than if they are given radiotherapy or surgery.

The magnetic alloy rods are 1.4cm long and only a millimeter in diameter.

Once the tumour has been located, the rods can be implanted within it, and then an external alternating magnetic field is used to heat the rods up.

Typically, around 60 rods would be implanted using a hollow needle, with the patient under a spinal anaesthetic.

The procedure could take less than an hour to complete, with the patient sent home the same day.

The rods used in this study would generate as much heat as a 30-watt light bulb.

Kills cancer cells

This both kills cancer cells and clots the tumour's blood supply.

The temperature of the rods is relatively easy to control, allowing doctors to limit the amount of damage to the tissues surrounding the prostate gland.

Dr Robert Tucker, of the Univeristy of Iowa, said: "Our results, and those of our international collaborators, suggest that these rods could be extremely effective in treating the cancer with potentially fewer side-effects.

"We think this approach could be useful against other localised tumours."

If this technique is an effective way of treating the prostate with less damage to the surrounding tissues, then it could be a useful advance

Imperial Cancer Research Fund spokesman

After the treatment has finished, the cobalt and palladium rods are left in place - meaning that the therapy could be repeated if tests suggested that the cancer might be returning.

The major disadvantages of radiotherapy, and particularly therapy, is the risk of damage to delicate tissues surrounding the gland.

Patients who have had their prostate removed can often face problems with sexual function, or even incontinence.

A spokesman for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund said: "This is certainly an interesting approach.

"The important issue in the treatment of localised prostatic cancer is the 'colateral' damage caused by conventional intervention.

"If this technique is an effective way of treating the prostate with less damage to the surrounding tissues, then it could be a useful advance.

"We will certainly await the results of the clinical trials with interest."

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly-diagnosed cancers in the UK in men, although recent figures suggested that survival rates were improving.

The prostate gland lies close to the bladder and is responsible for making a component of semen.