HIFU procedure

Nowadays the evaluation of the treatment of oncology diseases consists of two parameters: life expectancy and its quality. According to the American society of clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National cancer Institute (NCI) reports, quality of life is currently becoming of great economic and social significance. The success in treatment of urologic oncology diseases has been quite significant in recent years. Various high-tech methods of surgical treatment have been implemented in the routine life, like endoscopic, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. On the other hand, due to the development of screening and prevention programs, oncologists currently more often face with cases of early-stage cancer. Such tumors are usually localized and without regional or distant metastases. These characteristics contribute to the introduction of organ-preserving, minimally invasive techniques. One of such methods is a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure.

Our experience of the use of HIFU-procedure:

Samara Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary implemented this procedure in 2009 (system «Ablatherm») and was one of the first medical institution in Russian Federation who started to use this procedure routinely for patients with prostate cancer. More than 1,000 patients received HIFU procedure. The specialists who perform this procedure have been trained in the world leading urological clinics, and are members of the Radiological Society of North America; the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound.

Leading specialist: Vyacheslav A. Solovov, M.D. PhD, head of interventional radiology department.

Main indications:

1. Localized prostate cancer T1- T2 – the efficiency of this procedure is about 92-95%;

2. Locally advanced prostate cancer Т3, – the efficiency of this procedure is about 72-84%;

3. For Т4 prostate cancer - after HIFU procedure as a part of palliative treatment, there is an increase in the effectiveness of hormone therapy;

4. In cases with local relapse after radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy - 5-year relapse-free survival after HIFU procedure is 70-74%;

5. In elderly patients with severe comorbidities.

HIFU procedure is a minimally invasive technology with minor complications, minimal length of stay and a short recovery period.