Guidance
2 The procedure
2 The procedure
2.1 Indications
2.1.1 High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) may be used to treat carcinoma of the prostate, either as a primary or salvage therapy.
2.1.2 Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer. Current primary treatments for localised prostate cancer include 'watchful waiting', radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy. Metastatic prostate cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy.
2.1.3 Treatment options for locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy are limited and include salvage radical prostatectomy, salvage cryotherapy and salvage brachytherapy.
2.2 Outline of the procedure
2.2.1 HIFU for prostate cancer is carried out under a spinal or general anaesthesia. An endorectal probe incorporating an ultrasound scanner and a HIFU treatment applicator is inserted. The probe emits a beam of ultrasound, which is focused to reach a high intensity in the target area. Absorption of the ultrasound energy creates an increase in temperature, which destroys tissue. A cooling balloon surrounding the probe protects the rectal mucosa from the high temperature. A urethral or suprapubic catheter is used after the procedure.
2.2.2 Transurethral resection of the prostate may be carried out immediately before the HIFU treatment, to reduce the volume of the prostate and minimise the amount of necrotic debris left after the procedure. HIFU treatment can be repeated if necessary.
2.3 Efficacy
2.3.1 The evidence was based on case series and the main outcomes reported were negative biopsy rates and PSA nadir levels. Some studies reported disease-free survival rates but the criteria used to define disease varied. A systematic review, including eight case series, reported a negative biopsy rate of 60% (37/62) in one study with follow up not specified, and 80% (75/94) in a study with 3-year follow up. In three further studies in the review, the proportion of patients without clinical or biochemical evidence of disease ranged from 56% (28/50) at 24 months to 66% (67/102) at 19 months.
2.3.2 Three additional case series reported negative biopsy rates between 87% (251/288) in a study with mean follow up of 13 months and 93% (128/137) in a study with mean follow up of 22.5 months. One of these studies, which included 146 patients, also reported disease-free survival rates of 54% or 71.5%, depending on the criteria used to define disease-free status. For more details, refer to the Sources of evidence section.
2.3.3 The Specialist Advisors considered that long-term data are needed to establish whether the procedure reduces prostate-cancer-specific mortality.
2.4 Safety
2.4.1 Urinary tract infections and stress incontinence were the most commonly reported complications, affecting between 4% (6/137) and 48% (46/96) and between 8% (9/111) and 23% (23/102) of patients in two case series. Recto-urethral fistula was reported in 0.7% (1/137) and 3% (3/111) of patients. Four studies reported rates of impotence after the procedure between 24% (75/315) and 100% (62/62) but the proportion of men who were potent before treatment was inadequately reported. Other complications included prolonged urinary retention, urge incontinence, urgency, bladder neck stenosis, urethral stenosis, urethritis, prostatic abscess, epididymitis, asymptomatic rectal burns and chronic pelvic pain. For more details, refer to the Sources of evidence section.
2.4.2 The Specialist Advisors listed urinary incontinence, rectal fistula, bowel perforation and erectile dysfunction as potential adverse events but noted that HIFU appears to be safer than alternative radical treatments for prostate cancer. Two Specialist Advisors noted that there were concerns regarding control of local heating and limiting sound energy to the target area.