CAPTAIN Trial Studies MRI-Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation for Prostate Cancer

April 13, 2026—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) announced that the CAPTAIN randomized clinical trial found that men with localized, intermediate-risk prostate cancer recovered faster and experienced less short-term impact on their daily lives when treated with MRI-guided, transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) compared with robotic prostate surgery.

The results of the CAPTAIN trial were presented at the SIR 2026 annual scientific meeting in Toronto, Canada. An abstract of the study by primary investigator David A. Woodrum, MD, et al is available online in Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

According to SIR, the study included 212 men treated at 23 medical centers between 2022 and 2025. Patients with localized, intermediate-risk prostate cancer were randomly assigned to receive either the new minimally invasive TULSA procedure or the standard surgical approach of robotic prostatectomy.

The study showed that patients treated with TULSA had less blood loss during the procedure, typically went home the same day, and reported less pain and faster return to normal activities at 1 month after treatment compared to patients who received surgical treatment, reported SIR.

“For many patients, how quickly they can get back to work, family life, and everyday routines really matters,” commented Dr. Woodrum in the SIR press release. “These early results suggest that TULSA may allow patients to recover more quickly and maintain a better quality of life following treatment, while still effectively treating the cancer.”

As explained in the SIR press release, TUSLA uses real-time MRI to guide the delivery of high-energy ultrasound through the urethra and into the prostate to precisely heat and kill the prostate cancer tissue without damaging the surrounding organs. This helps to preserve urinary and sexual function, advised the CAPTAIN investigators.

By contrast, the typical standard of care—surgical removal of the prostate, which is effective in terms of controlling the cancer—may result in significant long-term effects such as erectile dysfunction and loss of bladder control, noted SIR.

Dr. Woodrum stated, “While longer-term cancer control and functional outcomes remain critical, early recovery is an important part of the treatment decision for patients. CAPTAIN is providing high-quality randomized data to help patients and physicians have more informed conversations about treatment options.”

The investigators plan to follow patients for 10 years to compare longer-term outcomes, including urinary control, sexual function, and whether additional cancer treatment is needed, noted the SIR press release.