Cancer treatment system employing supplemented thermal therapy

A system for treating a target volume of cancerous tissue comprising:

• a probe adapted to be inserted into a body cavity proximate the target volume;
• a microwave antenna carried by the probe;
• a needle adapted to be inserted through a perineum into the target volume;
• and
• an energy-emitting element carried by the needle for implantation in the target volume.

A method of treating a target volume of cancerous tissue comprising:

• positioning a treatment probe carrying a microwave antenna in a body cavity proximate the target volume;
• inserting a temperature sensing probe separate from the treatment probe into the target volume, the temperature sensing a probe including at least one temperature sensor positioned in the target volume;
• energizing the microwave antenna to thermally treat the cancerous tissue in the target volume;
• controlling power delivered to the microwave antenna based on data from the temperature sensor positioned in the targtet volume;
• and
• placing at least one energy-emitting element in the target volume, whereby energy emitted from the antenna and the energy-emitting element necroses the cancerous tissue in the target volume.

A method of treating cancerous tissue in a prostate, the method comprising:

• positioning a catheter carrying a microwave antenna in a urethra proximate the prostate;
• positioning at least one temperature sensor in the prostate distant from the urethra and adjacent a rectum;
• energizing the microwave antenna to thermally treat the cancerous tissue in the prostate;
• controlling power delivered to the microwave antenna based on data from the temperature sensor positioned in the prostate, so that a periphery of the prostate is heated to therapeutic temperatures while controlling temperatures at the rectum to prevent thermal damage to the rectum;
• and
• placing at least one energy-emitting element in the prostate, whereby energy emitted from the antenna and the energy-emitting element necroses the cancerous tissue in the prostate.