Richard R Lotenfoe MD

Information may not be reliable

HIFU | HIFU Procedure and General HIFU Treatment Information
Discussing HIFU for Prostate Cancer (HIFU Sonablate 500) in comparison to Radiation, Robotics and HIFU Ablitherm.

Robotics causes reduction in penile length. HIFU does not.
HIFU has a low incontinence rate. With robotics, approximately 50% of men report using a pad for urinary control.
HIFU has a low rateof impotence. With robotics, up to 90% of men report erectile dysfunction.
HIFU is a superior treatment because robotics causes 6 incisions totaling over 4 inches. Compare this to a single 1/5 inch incision with HIFU.
Robotics has much higher bloodloss than HIFU.
In the unlikely event of cancer recurrence, HIFU is repeatable. Robotic prostatectomy is not.
HIFU isa superior treatment because HIFU allows focal therapy, significantly decreasing the chances of impotence and incontinence even further. Robotics does not.
Robotics causes pain between the rectum and scrotum. HIFU has no known symptoms.
Robotics may cause excessive bleeding after the procedure. HIFU has no known symptoms.
Robotics may cause penile swelling and bruising. HIFU has no known symptoms.
Robotics may cause bladder spasms. HIFU has no known symptoms.
Robotics may cause bruising around multiple incision sites. HIFU has no known symptoms.
Robotics may cause bloody drainage around the catheter. HIFU has no known symptoms.

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.

Advantages of HIFU using the Sonablate 500 versus the Ablathrem HIFU Procedure:

HIFU Sonablate 500 can treat larger glands. There is almost never a need for a secondary TURP procedure such as with the Ablatherm HIFU system.
Prostate tissue is not homogenous, and different parts of the prostate react differently to the treatment. HIFU Sonablate 500 can see this and adjust the HIFU power dosage almost instantly to assure adequate HIFU treatment and avoid overtreatment. HIFU Ablatherm does not. Furthermore, HIFU Ablatherm does not allow for changes in the human body during treatment and thus often miscalculates the exact HIFU focal point, reducing the effectiveness of the HIFU procedure.
HIFU Ablatherm does not allow for Tissue Change Monitoring (TCM): another tool that is only available with the HIFU Sonablate 500 and instantly tells the HIFU doctor if the HIFU treatment was sufficient or if certain spots need additional attention.
The HIFU Sonablate 500 has Color Doppler scanner built in, which allows doctors to locate the neurovascular bundles and thus avoid them, increasing the chances of remaining potent and decreasing the chances of incontinence.
The HIFU Sonablate 500 enables smaller focus than the HIFU Ablatherm and thus allows for more precise treatment and more customized treatment rather than the "cookie cutter", automated approach from HIFU Ablatherm.

All potential patients need to speak to a Physician to discuss their treatment options. The HIFU Sonablate 500 is not approved for use in the U.S. The HIFU Sonablate 500 remains investigational in the U.S. and is being studied for the treatment of prostate cancer in clinical trials in the U.S. FDA has made no decision as to the safety or efficacy of the HIFU Sonablate 500 for the treatment of prostate cancer. Currently, the device is approved for the treatment of prostate cancer in Canada and the Dominican Republic, authorized in Argentina, and available in the Bahamas and Mexico.