- An NIH/NCI protocol #11-C-0158 titled MR Image guided focal laser ablation therapy of prostate cancer has treated 15 patients without major complication over the past 5 years. Out of 15 patients, 3 have had evidence of disease recurrence. This data is being prepared for publication (verbal communication with Peter Pinto, MD, principal investigator); however, it requires a very long and resource-intensive MRI imaging, which may be a barrier to broad translation to the community setting. Specialized custom and expensive MRI-compatible equipment is also required. Focal laser ablation for prostate cancer using the Medtronic-Visualase laser is FDA cleared.