The incidence of cancer of the prostate has been on the rise since the early 1990’s because of new advances in blood marker technology. These technologies have given Urologists the opportunity to diagnose prostate cancer at the earliest stages when a cure is very highly likely. Such early cures are very important since, unlike other cancers such as lung, colon and liver cancer, prostate cancer has no identified predisposing factor thus cannot be prevented. For lung cancer, smoking is the number one factor, for colon cancer a low-fiber diet with chronic constipation has been blamed; however for prostate cancer the only identified risk factor is hereditary. Thus treatment during the early stages is the mainstay of cure for prostate cancer as no preventive measure has been identified.

The biopsy is sent to the pathologist for microscopic examination. Once the diagnosis of Prostatic Cancer is confirmed, the disease is then staged. Depending on the stage of the disease, a corresponding treatment is done. Staging is done by evaluating the results of various imaging studies such as Bone Scintillography and CAT Scan/Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

A new revolutionary treatment alternative for prostate cancer has been made available at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute. In the past, the mainstay of prostate cancer treatment cure was surgery. Recently however, breakthroughs in technology have come out with several treatment alternatives which include radiation therapy with linear accelerators and brachytherapy. However, these treatment options have their own inherent limitations. Enter: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) using the EDAP-Technomed Ablatherm. HIFU treatment is performed by a Urologist inserting a probe into the rectum under anesthesia. This probe emits a beam of high intensity convergent ultrasound which heats and subsequently destroys the targeted prostate cancer cells. The procedure is guided by a high resolution diagnostic ultrasound and is completely computer-assisted.

The EDAP Ablatherm High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Unit

The end-result is a precise, accurate, and confined destruction of cancer cells without having to incise through the skin and without damaging surrounding organs. Other advantages include the absence of radiation, a short hospital stay, treatment performed using only spinal anesthesia, other treatment alternatives can be considered in case of incomplete results, and additional treatments may be done.

With more than eight years follow-up all over Europe and the world, HIFU with Ablatherm Ò has emerged as the most promising among minimally invasive treatment options today. Treatment results using the Ablatherm were at least comparable with other treatment options, including Brachytherapy and surgery.

In accordance with its mandate to provide the best and latest innovations in renal, urological and transplant medicine, the National Kidney and Transplant Institute acquired the Ablatherm last December 2002. A milestone in the Institute’s history as this is to date, the First-and-Only center in Asia to have this innovative device.

For more detailed information, visit the EDAP website at http://hifu.com/eng/patients/prostate_cancer/1a_info_prostate.htm or Contact Us.