Data Presented at RSNA Shows 'Focal Cryoablation' Highly Effective (95%)
Treatment for Low-Risk Patients Concerned About Surgery, Radiation Side
Effects and Watchful Waiting
IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Endocare, Inc.
(OTC: ENDO), an innovative medical device company focused on the development
of minimally invasive technologies for tissue and tumor ablation, today
announced that data presented at the nation's preeminent radiology conference
showed that in a study of 20 patients who underwent focal cryotherapy for
their prostate cancer 95 percent showed no biochemical evidence of cancer
recurrence (their PSA's were stable following therapy). None of the
17 patients who had biopsies after therapy showed any evidence of disease and
80 percent of the patients maintained their potency. Also, no patients were
incontinent following treatment. Focal cryotherapy uses advanced targeting
and freezing technologies to destroy only the portion of the prostate believed
to be affected by the cancer, leaving other regions of the gland and the
nerves associated with potency intact.
Results presented today by Gary M. Onik, M.D., an interventional
radiologist and director of surgical imaging at the Center for Surgical
Advancement, Celebration Health, Celebration, FL, at the 89th Scientific
Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America
(RSNA) in Chicago are an update of a recently published study of 9 patients
who underwent the procedure. The new form of the procedure, which was
performed by Dr. Onik using Endocare's proprietary Cryocare Surgical System,
is applicable to at least 35 percent of men whose tumor resides in only a
portion of the prostate.
Onik said that an additional 45 percent of all prostate patients who have
microscopic tumors of less than 5 mm can also be treated with focal
cryotherapy.
"When men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, often they have to decide
between 'watchful waiting' -- doing nothing and hoping the cancer does not
grow quickly -- or choosing one of several treatments, all of which can have
debilitating side effects, often including impotence, incontinence and
diarrhea," says Onik. "There has been no middle-ground choice. Our
preliminary research suggests focused cryosurgery is an effective treatment
and could provide that middle-ground for some men as lumpectomy has been for
the thousands of women who have chosen it over more invasive treatment
options."
About Endocare
Endocare, Inc. -- http://www.endocare.com -- is an innovative medical device
company focused on the development of minimally invasive technologies for
tissue and tumor ablation. Endocare has initially concentrated on developing
devices for the treatment of prostate cancer and believes that its proprietary
technologies have broad applications across a number of markets, including the
ablation of tumors in the kidney, lung, liver and bone.
Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Among the
important factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from
those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those
discussed in "Risk Factors" in the Company's Forms 10-K, Forms 10-Q, and other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such risk factors
include, but are not limited to negative results in pending litigation;
uncertainty relating to ongoing investigations by governmental agencies,
changes in and/or attrition to the Company's senior management, limited
operating history of the Company with a history of losses; uncertainty
regarding market acceptance of the Company's products; uncertainty of product
development and the associated risks related to clinical trials; the Company's
ability to integrate acquisitions; uncertainty relating to third party
reimbursement; ability to convince health care professionals and third party
payers of the medical and economic benefits of the Company's products;
difficulty in managing growth; the Company's limited sales, marketing and
manufacturing experience; ability to attract and retain key personnel; ability
to secure and protect intellectual property rights relating to the Company's
technology; the rapid pace of technological change in the Company's industry;
fluctuations in the Company's order levels; uncertainty regarding the timing
of filing of the Company's periodic reports; and the Company's successful
relisting on NASDAQ. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ
materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and
uncertainties. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any
forward-looking statements for any reason.
For further information, please contact: media, Len Hall of Allen &
Caron, Inc, +1-949-474-4300, len@allencaron.com, for Endocare, Inc.; or Paul
LaPine, Vice President, Marketing of Endocare, Inc., +1-949-450-5400.
SOURCE Endocare, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.endocare.com
CONTACT:
media, Len Hall of Allen & Caron, Inc,
+1-949-474-4300, len@allencaron.com, for Endocare, Inc.; or Paul
LaPine, Vice President, Marketing of Endocare, Inc.,
+1-949-450-5400
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