1. What is the history of HIFU and how long has it been done?
Research on HIFU actually began in the 1950s at Indiana University. In 1994, the first human prostate cancer study was done by Dr. Marberger and Madersbacher at the Univ. of Vienna in Austria using the now Sonablate® 200 treating 29 human prostates in vivo shortly before performing a radical prostatectomy. The goal was to see if the energy delivered was enough to destroy the desired tissue. The study found that treatment could be performed safely and could be repeated. In 1995, a study done at IU showed that the whole prostate could be treated without damaging the prostate capsule or the rectal wall. In 1999, Dr. Toyaki Uchida began treating patients using the Sonablate® 200. In 2001, Sonablate® 500 receives CE mark from Europe and the first patient in the study was treated at IU by Dr. M. Koch. In 2004, USHIFU was created and has placed machines in Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Africa and the Caribbean. Currently there are nearly 100 Sonablate® 500 HIFU centers worldwide on six continents. There are over 150 physicians using the Sonablate® 500 worldwide and over 5,000 total procedures have been completed with the Sonablate®.

2. Where can I find HIFU data and statistics?
To read clinical papers, abstracts and data visit our clinical data section where you can download the latest published data and reports. Learn more about the Benefits of HIFU with the Sonablate® 500.

3. Does HIFU only treat the cancerous cells or does it ablate the entire prostate?
HIFU treated the entire prostate by targeting tissue in overlapping treatment zones. The tissue is heated rapidly in small lesion until eventually the entire prostate is ablated. By treating the entire prostate gland, the chance for recurrence, or the cancer coming back is minimized. All the organs and tissue outside of the prostate remain unaffected during HIFU.

4. If the entire prostate is treated, does that include the urethra? What happens to the uretha? Is it damaged?
The urethra consists of different anatomical segments. From the tip of the penis to the base of the bladder: the fossa navicularis, the pendulous urethra, the membranous urethra and the prostatic urethra. During HIFU, the entire prostate is ablated, including the prostatic urethra, as it can have cancerous cells in it. In doing so the end result is an empty cavity that acts like a conduit during normal urination. However, the urethra is derived from a different type of tissue (derived from the bladder squamous type epithelium) vs. prostatic tissue (glandular, fibrotic and muscular) and regenerates/re-epithelializes with time. The sphincter and bladder neck are the vital structures with respect to maintenance of urinary function NOT the urethra. These vital structures are not affected or harmed during HIFU.

We make no qualms about it.  We are not fans of radiation.  We simply feel there are too many side effects.

• HIFU is a better treatment option because radiation may cause other cancers such as Bladder or Stomach cancer.
• HIFU is a better treatment option because radiation if fails, it can not be repeated a second time. HIFU is only ultrasound, multiple treatments are possible.
• HIFU is a better treatment option because you have a much lower chance of  impotence.  41%-62% of all treated men become impotent with Radiation treatment within one year.  Up to 90% of men become impotent within five to eight years.  Impotence with HIFU is less than half.
• HIFU is an outpatient procedure.  Radiation may require an overnight stay at a hospital.  External beam radiation are five treatments over a 6-8 week period.  HIFU is a single procedure.
• HIFU allows you to father a child almost immediately.  Radiation requests you to wait two years.
• HIFU is not known to pose a risk of secondary malignancy.  Radiation may cause secondary malignancy.
• FACT: Radiation failures can actually be treated with HIFU and will save a patient from being placed on hormone therapy.
   

Please share your thoughts or experiences.  We are especially looking for individuals who had radiation and then opted for HIFU.  Please tell us your story as we would love to share it with others who may be looking at either treatment option.