Maintain Your Erections and Quality of Life with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Prostate Cancer
In one of earlier blogs, I discussed some of the traditional treatments for prostate cancer. Some of these treatments are radical retropubic prostatectomy, robotic prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, cryoablation, radiation treatment (example, IMRT and Brachytherapy), androgen deprivation, and active surveillance. I want to discuss a new modality of treatment for prostate cancer called HIFU or High Intensity focused Ultrasound Therapy.
HIFU was first discovered in the 1950′s and improved as a use for treatment of prostate cancer over the last few decades. HIFU is minimally invasive. It kills prostate cancer cells by thermal ablation. Surgery and radiation is not used to kill the prostate cancer cells. There is no blood loss and no incision! Patients are typically sent home the same day of treatment, and back to regular activity quicker than after surgical management
Cancer free rates are 84% for low-risk prostate cancer patients at 5 years( Uchida et al; Int J Urol 2009). Potency rates (ability to maintain erections) are 75% and incontinence rates ( leakage of urine) are 2%. Except for cancer free rates,these numbers are superior to those found with other treatments of prostate cancer. However, the cancer free rates are comparable to those found for other treatments of prostate cancer.
There are two types of HIFU. One is called Ablatherm (R) and the other is the Sonoblate 500 (R). I have had very good success with the Sonoblate 500 (R). My patients have had quick recoveries, and return to normal function and erections. The advantage of the Sonoblat 500 (R) is that ablation of the prostate cancer cells occur under real-time ultrasonograpy. This means that the device is able to adapt to changes in the postion of the prostate at the time of treatment and that it adjust to the different shapes and sizes of the prostate. The other advantage is a 3mm overlap of treatment, which allows for very specific areas of treatment. Finally, the Sonoblat 500 (R) has a modality which allows it to interpret excellent areas of ablation from those which need to be retreated at the time of the procedure. This allows for optimum cure rates.
Tags: Ablatherm (R), active surveillance, androgen deprivation therapy, brachytherapy, cryoablation, HIFU or High-Intensity focused Ultrasound treatment for prostate cancer, IMRT or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy, laparoscopic prostatectomy, PSA or prostate specific Antigen., radical retropubic prostatectomy, Sonoblat500 (R)In Urology | No Comments