Is focal HIFU prostate cancer treatment effective?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment is a relatively newer approach for treating prostate cancer. It uses focused ultrasound waves to target and destroy cancerous tissue and preserve the surrounding healthy tissue.

1. HIFU is primarily used for localized prostate cancer, and when applied to low- or intermediate-risk cancers (like your Gleason 3+4=7), this method offers the same outcome as traditional treatments.

2. Radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy are the traditional treatments. They provide better long-term survival outcomes for high-risk cancers.

3. In the case of HIFU, studies have indicated five-year cancer-free survival rates of around 70 to 90 percent for localized cancers. It is similar to the results of surgery and radiation, but with fewer side effects. So it is considered a better treatment for low and intermediate-risk cancer.

4. HIFU targets only the cancerous area and leaves the rest of the prostate intact. So there is less risk of side effects, such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction (ED), compared to whole-prostate treatments. However, the risk of needing additional treatment is higher.

5. HIFU causes less sexual dysfunction.

6. Since focal HIFU is relatively new, patients may require more frequent monitoring with PSA (prostate-specific antigen) tests and imaging to detect recurrence. This is because the treatment does not remove the entire prostate, and recurrence in the untreated parts can be seen.

I hope this has helped you.

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Thank you.