Northwell Health Performs New York’s First Commercial Vanquish Procedure

The procedure utilizes the Vanquish System, a device developed by Minnesota-based Francis Medical that employs thermal energy stored in sterile water vapor to target and ablate prostate tissue. By conforming to the natural boundaries of the prostate, the system aims to destroy cancerous cells while minimizing damage to the surrounding nerve bundles. The technology received FDA 510(k) clearance in late 2025, moving it from the clinical trial phase into standard practice.

Dr. Taneja, who served as co-principal investigator for the pivotal VAPOR 2 study, noted the system’s ability to provide a targeted treatment path outside of experimental protocols. Data from the 235-patient study, published in the Journal of Urology, indicated that 91% of participants saw the elimination of MRI-visible clinically significant disease six months after a single procedure. Furthermore, 93% of patients reported satisfaction with their outcomes at the one-year mark, citing minimal post-operative pain.

While the system is cleared for the thermal ablation of prostate tissue, the FDA has not explicitly evaluated it for long-term prostate cancer treatment outcomes. Northwell Health, one of the largest urology practices in the United States, intends to use the technology as a primary tool for patients who qualify for localized intervention.