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Clinical Research

A prospective clinical trial of HIFU hemiablation for clinically localized prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases volume 19, pages 79–83 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background:

Focal therapy is an emerging mini-invasive treatment modality for localized prostate cancer aimed to reduce the morbidity associated with radical therapy while maintaining optimal cancer control. We report the mid-term oncological and functional results of primary hemiablation high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in a prospective cohort of patients.

Methods:

Over 8 years, hemiablation HIFU was primarily performed in 50 selected patients with biopsy-proven clinically localized unilateral, low–intermediate risk prostate cancer in complete concordance with the prostate cancer lesions identified by magnetic resonance imaging with precise loci matching on multimodal approach. Post-treatment follow-up included regular serial PSA measurements. Biochemical recurrence was reported using Stuttgart and Phoenix criteria. The latter was used as a threshold to offer whole-gland biopsies.

Results:

Complete follow-up was available for all patients and the median follow-up was 39.5 months (range: 6–94). Mean nadir PSA value was 1.6 ng ml−1, which represents 72% reduction compared with initial PSA pre-treatment value (P<0.001). Median time to achieve PSA nadir was 3 months. Biochemical recurrence, according to Phoenix and Stuttgart definition, occurred in 28 and 36% of patients, respectively. The 5-year actuarial metastases-free survival, cancer-specific survival and overall survival rates were 93, 100 and 87%, respectively. Out of the eight patients undergoing biopsy, six patients had a positive biopsy for cancer occurring in the untreated contralateral (n=3) or treated ipsilateral lobe (n=1) or bilaterally (n=2). A Clavien–Dindo grade 3b complication occurred in two patients. Complete continence (no pads) and erection sufficient for intercourse were documented in 94 or 80% of patients, respectively.

Conclusion:

Hemiablation HIFU therapy, delivered with intention to treat, for carefully selected patients affords mid-term promising functional and oncological outcomes. The effectiveness of this technique should be now compared with whole-gland radical therapy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium

    R van Velthoven, F Aoun, Q Marcelis, S Albisinni, M Zanaty, A Peltier & K Limani

  2. Department of Radiology, Jules Bordet Institute, Brussels, Belgium

    M Lemort

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  1. R van Velthoven
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Correspondence to F Aoun.

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van Velthoven, R., Aoun, F., Marcelis, Q. et al. A prospective clinical trial of HIFU hemiablation for clinically localized prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis 19, 79–83 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/pcan.2015.55

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