May marks Bladder Cancer Awareness Month — an opportunity to raise awareness about a common, yet sometimes overlooked, disease.

Bladder cancer is considered to be one of the most common urologic cancers, with significant impact on both men and women worldwide.  The incidence rate in men is approximately four times higher than in women. According to medical literature, about 80% of cases are classified as "superficial" (non-muscle invasive) bladder cancer; it is also noted that approximately 60%–70% of cases are recurrent.

 

The “Synergo” technology combines non-ionizing microwave radiation (RF) with cooled chemotherapy.
A 2021 evaluation by the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found that Synergo results in a reduction in radical cystectomies, an increase in total life years and an increase in QALYs* .

Synergo is the technology recommended by the European Association of Urology (EAU Guidelines) for use in high-risk patients after failure of BCG** treatment, and in patients who are unfit for or unwilling to undergo radical bladder removal.

It is the only technology that was discussed and approved for inclusion in the Israeli national health basket back in 2008, based on accumulated experience and years of clinical studies conducted worldwide.

Synergo treatment is carried out in a clinic, after which the patient can return to their daily routine.
The treatment involves inserting a special applicator (catheter) with a miniature antenna at its tip into the bladder for about 45 minutes. The device emits radiofrequency (RF) waves simultaneously with the instillation of cooled chemotherapy.  Studies around the world have shown that RF waves alone can cause changes in cancer cells, and that this technology has proven effective in reducing tumor recurrence in the bladder, with follow-ups extending over 10 years. The technology has been in use in medical centers in Israel and globally since 2001.

 

Microwaves are a type of radio wave — both are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, differing mainly in wavelength: microwaves are shorter and carry more energy. In healthcare, these waves are used in various medical technologies. For example, radio waves are used in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to collect data from the body, while microwaves are used for targeted tissues, such as in tumor treatment using "ablation". Thus, the physical properties of these waves aid in both diagnosis and treatment. 

While RF energy can induce heating, its therapeutic impact on cancer cells is believed to be due to other mechanisms such as the alteration of cellular structures and signaling pathways, not just heat alone.

The biological effects of RF waves on cancer cells involve changes at the cellular level, which may help slow down or inhibit tumor growth. This is why RF energy is often used in cancer treatments like RF ablation, where the effect of the waves on cells plays a crucial role.

For articles on the subject:

Ware MJ, Tinger S, Colbert KL, Corr SJ, Rees P, Koshkina N, Curley S, Summers HD, Godin B. Radiofrequency treatment alters cancer cell phenotype. Sci Rep. 2015 Jul 13;5:12083. doi: 10.1038/srep12083. PMID: 26165830; PMCID: PMC4499808.

Curley SA, Palalon F, Sanders KE, Koshkina NV. The effects of non-invasive radiofrequency treatment and hyperthermia on malignant and nonmalignant cells. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2014 Sep 3;11(9):9142-53. doi: 10.3390/ijerph110909142. PMID: 25192147; PMCID: PMC4199010.