What Is Interstitial Microwave Thermoablation, When Is It Used To Treat Prostate Cancer, And What Are The Risks/Side Effects?

March 16, 2009 -- Question: What is interstitial microwave thermoablation, when is it used to treat prostate cancer, and what are the risks/side effects?

Answer: Interstitial microwave thermablation refers to essentially microwaving the tumor as we would use our microwave in the kitchen. By subjecting it to microwave, we kill the cancer cell. The problem is that we do not have a long enough track record of that in this country and I would describe it as a work in progress. It also carries significant side effects if it is not utilized in the proper fashion.