Do the doctor's in the US doing the Clinical trials have the same experience as the ones in Germany or Canada? In other words, how much more risk do I have participating in a clinical trial?

Definitively you have no more risk. All US doctors participating in the trial are trained by experienced users during a standardized program. They have the supervision of a "proctor" for all treatments for the duration of the trial. The Ablatherm HIFU is highly automated and it makes outcomes quite repeatable from the early beginning. Regards

What is a Gleason Score?

Gleason score is the given as two numbers adding up to a total score. The two numbers range from 1-5, therefore the total score ranges from 2-10. It is a grading of prostate cancer based on cell changes in the cancer and the architecture of the affected glands giving an overall guide to how bad the cancer is, from the "good ones" low score, to the "bad ones" with a high total score. Best Wishes

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2006. Sadly, the cancer has invaded the base of the bladder and also the lymph nodes. Bearing this in mind, would HIFU be an option?

Thank you for the email. Unfortunately HIFU is restricted for localised cancer of the prostate. In your husband's case, hormone therapy would be the normal option for treatment. Best Wishes

Is it possible to receive hifu treatment after having had radiotherapy for prostate cancer around 3 years ago? I am told that only one treatment of radiotherapy is possible.

Yes, HIFU is very good for what is called "radiotherapy failure" , gauged by your PSA as an indicator of disease progression. This assumes that the cancer remains confined to the prostate. Best Wishes

Is the Ablatherm HIFU procedure painful?

The treatment itself is not painful as it is carried out under local (epidural) or sometimes general anaesthetic.
Pain at the end of the treatment is rare, and most patients feel a slight discomfort which disappears in a few days. In addition, it is easy to understand that because there are absolutely no scars left behind the patient does not suffer any pain due to operation wounds scarring over. Finally, unlike with radiation-based treatments, the patients do not have any painful symptoms comparable to burning.

How are patients prepared to receive HIFU treatment?

The patient is simply taken into hospital the night before the treatment without any specific conditions and a digestive preparation is carried out to prepare the rectum for the next days when the endorectal probe will be used.

What happens immediately after the treatment?

Immediately after the treatment, a urinary probe is put in place so that the patient can evacuate urine normally. In fact, as the Ablatherm HIFU treatment has subjected the prostate to a significant rise in temperature, the prostate tends to swell a little for a few days and prevent the patient from urinating for a short time. The probe may be removed as soon as the prostate returns to a normal volume.
The patient can start to eat again on the evening of the treatment and the urinary probe is generally removed 3 or 4 days later. The patient can return home the day after the treatment or after the probe is removed and a post-urination ultrasound exam is carried out to check the bladder is operating correctly.
A non-continuous disinfectant treatment may be prescribed for 8 days to avoid any urinary infections. PSA dosing and urinary cyto-bacteriological checks are carried out at regular intervals. If a urinary infection is detected, the general practitioner may prescribe a course of antibiotics adapted to the germs present in the urine. The patient may experience a certain amount of discomfort during this time: light bleeding at the start of urination, frequent, and often urgent, need to urinate, possible leaks of urine when exerting himself or coughing, or the elimination of necrotic waste.
Infections accompanied by fever are rare but possible if the infection spreads: these infections require an energy anti-biotic treatment.

Are there any counter-indications to treatment with HIFU?

Almost none. In any case, no patient will be put in danger by treatment with Ablatherm HIFU. We should really therefore talk about "less good indications". The urologists who use this technique tend generally to reserve it for good indications as Ablatherm HIFU provides the best results in this area, combining a high level of effectiveness and excellent tolerance, which mean a cure and high quality of life for the patient.

Should I take any medication after the HIFU treatment?

No, except if a urinary infection occurs, and in this case you will be given the appropriate anti-infection treatment by your urologist.

Is there anything I won't be able to do after my treatment with HIFU?

At the moment, Ablatherm HIFU is one of the least disabling treatments. The small number of complications and the short recovery period guarantee in most cases a quick return to normal activity after treatment (generally 2 or 3 days). A urinary probe may be put in place for several days after Ablatherm treatment. However, you will be able to return to all your activities after consulting your doctor.