Steam-Based Thermal Ablation for Prostate Tissue 

Prostate cancer impacts approximately 1 in 8 men throughout their lifetime [1]. It is the second leading cause of 
cancer-related death among American men, with approximately 1 in 44 men dying from the disease [1]. Current 
treatment options vary depending on disease severity and include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy [2]. However, a new minimally invasive treatment option has recently received FDA approval. 
Francis Medical has developed the Vanquish Water Vapor Ablation System, which aims to provide a gentler approach 
for patients requiring thermal ablation of targeted prostate tissue through a transurethral procedure. The system 
utilizes the thermal energy stored in sterile water vapor to ablate prostate tissue while minimizing damage to the 
surrounding healthy tissue. 

The water vapor, commonly known as steam, is delivered through a small catheter positioned directly at the target 
tissue [3]. This outpatient procedure has demonstrated minimal impact on urinary continence, and most patients 
report little to no pain. Additionally, the system can treat tissue throughout multiple regions of the prostate. According to a recent clinical study, 93% of patients were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the procedure after 12 months, while 94% believed undergoing the treatment was a good decision [3].  

The system releases vapor through the catheter at a pressure greater than that of the extracellular environment, 
allowing the interstitial fluid to displace and the water vapor to reach the cell membranes. As the steam rapidly 
condenses back into liquid, latent heat is released directly onto the targeted cell membranes [4]. This rapid heat 
transfer causes immediate cell death within the targeted tissue while minimizing thermal damage to surrounding 
areas. The system consists of several integrated components, including a stabilizer, needle guidance system, 
generator, cart, monitor, ultrasound probe cradle, and vapor delivery device [5]. This treatment is particularly promising because it may reduce the likelihood of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, which are two of the most common side effects associated with conventional prostate cancer treatments.

 
Francis Medical also hopes to expand the technology to treat other forms of cancer in the future, particularly during 
early stages of disease progression. 

Article written by Jennifer Joanna-Joan Villeneuve,
M.ESc Biomedical Engineering Candidate, B.ESc Mechatronic Systems & B.ESc Biomedical Engineering

References 
[1] “Key statistics for prostate cancer: Prostate cancer facts,” Prostate Cancer Facts | American Cancer Society, 
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html (accessed May 13, 2026).  
[2] “Prostate cancer,” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/diagnosis
treatment/drc-20353093 (accessed May 13, 2026).  
[3] “Vanquish patient,” Francis Medical, https://www.francismedical.com/vanquish-patient/ (accessed May 13, 
2026).  
[4] “Science,” Francis Medical, https://www.francismedical.com/science/ (accessed May 13, 2026).  
[5] “Emanual,” Francis Medical, https://www.francismedical.com/emanual/ (accessed May 13, 2026). 

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