HIFU and cryosurgery for prostate cancer

UroToday – EAU 2007 – Minimally Invasive and Other Treatment Strategies in Localized Prostate Cancer

The authors conclude that this treatment modality is appropriate for patients with localized CaP who are not candidates for surgery. The oncological outcomes appear inferior to rates reported for radiotherapy and surgery.

2 abstracts were summarized from the EAU’s meeting: The HIFU one showed relatievly safe results, but cancer cures that were less than radiation or surgery. This is the first generation device they were using and I expect the results to improve.
I think HIFU will be FDA approved in the US in the next 2-3 years.
The cryosurgical study was for radiation failures and gave the following results and side effects:

The 5-year biochemical recurrence free survival was 73% for low-risk patient, 45% for intermediate-risk men and 11% for high-risk patients. The reported complications included incontinence (13%), erectile dysfunction (86%), LUTS (16%), prolonged perineal pain (4%), urinary retention (2%) and rectovesical fistula (1%).