Purpose: We studied the feasibility of combined treatment with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and transurethral resection or incision of the prostate for localized prostate cancer to decrease the risk of posttreatment prolonged urinary retention.
Materials and methods: Included in this feasibility study were 30 patients fulfilling certain criteria, namely localized prostate cancer indicated for HIFU, age 60 years or older, prostate volume 45 cc or less, no more than 4 positive samples at sextant biopsy, baseline prostate specific antigen (PSA) 10 ng/ml or less and no evidence of cancer extension. They received the combined treatment under general anesthesia using an Ablatherm HIFU device (EDAP SA, Lyon, France).
Results: The enrolled patients were a mean of 72 years old and presented with a median prostate volume of 30 cc. Median Gleason score was 6, median PSA was 7 ng/ml and pretreatment sextant biopsies provided a median of 2 positive samples. Mean operative time was 2 hours 48 minutes, including resection and HIFU. An average of 616 HIFU shots were delivered. The urinary catheter was removed at day 2 after treatment. Median hospital stay was 3 days. Only a few complications were observed. In regard to the oncological aspects at a mean of 20 months of followup 86% of the patients had negative biopsies after HIFU. Median PSA was 0.9 ng/ml. At 1 year of followup the mean International Prostate Symptom Score was 8. Regarding sexual function, 73% of previously potent patients reported preserved sexual activity.
Conclusions: The combination of endoscopic resection or incision of the prostate with HIFU treatment decreases urinary catheterization time and improves posttreatment urinary status without additional morbidity.