Salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for locally recurrent prostate cancer after failed radiation therapy: Multi-institutional analysis of 418 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To report the oncological outcome of salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (S-HIFU) for locally recurrent prostate cancer after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) from a multicentre database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study comprises patients from nine centres with local recurrent disease after EBRT treated with S-HIFU from 1995 to 2009. The biochemical failure-free survival (bFFS) rate was based on the 'Phoenix' definition (PSA nadir + 2 ng/mL). Secondary endpoints included progression to metastasis and cancer-specific death. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed examining overall (OS), cancer-specific (CSS) and metastasis-free survival (MFS). Adverse events and quality of life status are reported. RESULTS: In all, 418 patients with a mean (SD) follow-up of 3.5 (2.5) years were included. The mean (SD) age was 68.6 (5.8) years and the PSA level before S-HIFU was 6.8 (7.8) ng/mL. The median PSA nadir after S-HIFU was 0.19 ng/mL. The OS, CSS and MFS rates at 7 years were 72%, 82% and 81%, respectively. At 5 years the bFFS rate was 58%, 51% and 36% for pre-EBRT low-, intermediate- and high-risk patients, respectively. The 5-year bFFS rate was 67%, 42% and 22% for pre-S-HIFU PSA level ≤4, 4-10 and ≥10 ng/mL, respectively. Complication rates decreased after the introduction of specific post-RT parameters: incontinence (grade II or III) from 32% to 19% (P = 0.002); bladder outlet obstruction or stenosis from 30% to 15% (P = 0.003); recto-urethral fistula decreased from 9% to 0.6% (P < 0.001). Study limitations include being a retrospective analysis from a registry with no control group. CONCLUSION: S-HIFU for locally recurrent prostate cancer after failed EBRT is associated with 7-year CSS and MFS rates of >80% at a price of significant morbidity. S-HIFU should be initiated early following EBRT failure.

Engineering Better Lithotripters.

Although shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) remains an excellent non-invasive method for active removal of stones from the ureter and kidney, its popularity has decreased during recent years and the arguments for choosing endoscopic procedures rather than the only non-invasive surgical procedure are usually based on the opinion that SWL results are inferior to those obtained with endoscopic methods. It is considered that slow technical progress has not sufficiently met the requirements of disintegration, reduced need of repeated treatments, shorter treatment duration and less negative effects on tissues. This article summarises some recently published articles that address these problems and have the aim of improving the function of lithotripters. Modification of the shock wave geometry, elimination or control of cavitation bubbles, and different techniques of disintegration studied in in vitro and in animal experiments suggest several possible future directions that might provide a basis for development of a new "gold standard" lithotripter.

International Alliance of Urolithiasis Guideline on Shockwave Lithotripsy.

Different international associations have proposed their own guidelines on urolithiasis. However, the focus is primarily on an overview of the principles of urolithiasis management rather than step-by-step technical details for the procedure. The International Alliance of Urolithiasis (IAU) is releasing a series of guidelines on the management of urolithiasis. The current guideline on shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is the third in the IAU guidelines series and provides a clinical framework for urologists and technicians performing SWL. A total of 49 recommendations are summarized and graded, covering the following aspects: indications and contraindications; preoperative patient evaluation; preoperative medication; prestenting; intraoperative analgesia or anesthesia; intraoperative position; stone localization and monitoring; machine and energy settings; intraoperative lithotripsy strategies; auxiliary therapy following SWL; evaluation of stone clearance; complications; and quality of life. The recommendations, tips, and tricks regarding SWL procedures summarized here provide important and necessary guidance for urologists along with technicians performing SWL. PATIENT SUMMARY: For kidney and urinary stones of less than 20 mm in size, shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is an approach in which the stone is treated with shockwaves applied to the skin, without the need for surgery. Our recommendations on technical aspects of the procedure provide guidance for urologists and technicians performing SWL.

Aspects on how extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy should be carried out in order to be maximally effective.

The present review summarizes the most important considerations and steps for an optimal result of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. The relationship between shockwave path, geometry and anatomical conditions is of utmost importance. Selection of appropriate treatment variables in terms of shockwave number, power and frequency, is an important prerequisite for proper disintegration and prevention of complications. Several supportive measures such as inversion therapy, citrate therapy, high diuresis, α-receptor antagonists, chemolysis and recurrence preventive measures are important parts of the management of this group of patients in order to avoid problems with residual fragments and new stone formation. Proper understanding of these factors as well as of the physics of shockwaves is necessary for a successful application of this non-invasive technology treatment concept.

Robotic high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer: what have we learned in 15 years of clinical use?

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is an emerging, noninvasive, local treatment of prostate cancer with 15 years of clinical experience, during which about 30,000 HIFU treatments have been performed worldwide. In this paper, we review relevant publications regarding the means by which new and old prostate cancer technologies are evaluated, the outcomes of HIFU by Ablatherm (EDAP TMS, Lyon, France), and the evolution currently underway regarding how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated. We show the potential of HIFU to be used as local therapy for men with any stage of prostate cancer and how this additional therapeutic option can fit within the future armamentarium of a sequential multimodal therapy concept.

Transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound for local treatment of prostate cancer: current role.

Attractivity of robotic high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is based largely on the non-invasive, extremely precise nature of this high-tech robotic therapy as well as its clean, radiation free, surgical, but nevertheless, bloodless character. Today, in urological oncology, HIFU is used clinically as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of prostate cancer. Experimentally it is investigated for therapeutic use in kidney and breast cancer. Transrectal treatment of localized prostate cancer with HIFU has been under investigation since the 1990s and it is meanwhile an actively used therapy for the disease in many urological departments worldwide. Since 2000 HIFU is mostly used in combination with transurethral resection of the prostate in order to reduce prostate gland size, to facilitate effective tissue destruction and to avoid side effects. Palliative and salvage indications as well as focal therapy of prostate cancer are under investigation to extend the spectrum of HIFU indications for non invasive prostate cancer therapy.

How can and should we optimize extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy?

It is well recognized that the popularity of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), despite its non-invasive character, has decreased during recent years. This is partly explained by the technological achievements in endoscopy and urologists' enthusiasm for such procedures. Another explanation is that many urologists have been insufficiently successful with SWL. The latter effect might to some extent be a result of the performance of the lithotripter used, but in too many cases, it is evident that the principles of how shock wave lithotripsy should be carried out are poorly applied. The purpose of this article is to emphasize some important aspects on how SWL best should be used. Based on decades of experience, it stands to reason that success with SWL does not come automatically and attention has to be paid to all details of this technique.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer: A Review.

Over the past 25 years, the average life expectancy for men has increased almost 4 years, and the age of prostate cancer detection has decreased an average of 10 years with diagnosis increasingly made at early-stage disease where curative therapy is possible. These changing trends in the age and extent of malignancy at diagnosis have revealed limitations in conventional curative therapies for prostate cancer, including a significant risk of aggressive cancer recurrence, and the risk of long-term genitourinary morbidity and its detrimental impact on patient's quality of life (QOL). Greater awareness of the shortcomings in radical prostatectomy, external radiotherapy, and brachytherapy has prompted the search for alternative curative therapies that offer comparable rates of cancer control and less treatment-related morbidity to better preserve QOL. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) possesses characteristics that make it an attractive curative therapy option. HIFU is a noninvasive approach that uses precisely delivered ultrasound energy to achieve tumor cell necrosis without radiation or surgical excision. In current urologic oncology, HIFU is used clinically in the treatment of prostate cancer and is under experimental investigation for therapeutic use in multiple malignancies. Clinical research on HIFU therapy for localized prostate cancer began in the 1990s, and there have now been ∼65,000 prostate cancer patients treated with HIFU, predominantly with the Ablatherm (EDAP TMS, Lyon, France) device. Neoadjuvant transurethral resection of the prostate has been combined with HIFU since 2000 to reduce prostate size, facilitate tissue destruction, and to minimize side effects. Advances in imaging technologies are expected to further improve the already superior efficacy and morbidity outcomes, and ongoing investigation of HIFU as a focal therapy in salvage and palliative indications is serving to expand the role of HIFU as a highly versatile noninvasive therapy for prostate cancer.

Arguments for choosing extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for removal of urinary tract stones.

At a time when there is an almost unlimited enthusiasm and preference among urologists for endoscopic stone removal, we have found it essential to meet some of the frequently presented arguments on why extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) should not be used. We have based our considerations in this brief article on our 30-35 years' experience with the non-invasive or least invasive technique that SWL represents. Stone disintegration, requirement of repeated treatment sessions, the concern of residual fragments, complications and economic aspects are some points that are discussed.

Antiplatelet and anticoagulative medication during shockwave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) is the gold standard treatment of patients with most renal and proximal ureteral calculi. Severe bleeding complications in SWL are extremely rare. Uncorrected bleeding diathesis might increase the risk and is considered to be an absolute contraindication for SWL. Perioperative management of anticoagulative and antiplatelet therapy has changed in the recent past. In particular, low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is no longer a contraindication for many surgical procedures. METHODS: A systematic Medline/PubMed literature search of peer-reviewed scientific articles in urology and cardiovascular medicine was performed concerning the management of anticoagulative and antiplatelet medication during SWL. RESULTS: The literature on medically acquired and pathological bleeding diathesis and SWL in general is rare, retrospective, nonstandardized, and of low quality. Routine cessation of obligatory indicated anticoagulative or antiplatelet medication implies a significant risk for cardiovascular adverse events (CAE). Ureterorenoscopy is recommended in patients with uncorrected bleeding diathesis, although this is not based on high-level evidence. CONCLUSION: In patients with obligatory intake of anticoagulative or antiplatelet medication, the risk for CAE must be balanced against the SWL-induced bleeding risk. In patients with low-dose ASA-intake, SWL should be considered as an option instead of being disregarded as an absolute contraindication. Prospective randomized trials designed to define the optimal management of anticoagulants and antiplatelets during SWL are warranted.

Water-jet-aided transurethral dissection of urothelial carcinoma: a prospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The application of a water-jet dissector for mucosal elevation was shown to improve resection of lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. We present the first prospective clinical trial on the application of a combined water-jet dissector and needle-knife (HybridKnife) in transurethral dissection (TUD) of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty separate urothelial tumors of the bladder in 17 unselected patients were elevated and dissected with the HybridKnife. The goal was to determine the safety, effectiveness of resection, and overall applicability of the HybridKnife. RESULTS: No perforation or other complication was seen. All tumors could be dissected from the bladder wall en bloc. TUD of UCB by using the HybridKnife is technically feasible and safe in the resection of papillary and solid tumors. CONCLUSION: The application of the HybridKnife in TUD of UCB appears to be a feasibly safe and applicable for en-bloc dissection technique potentially following principles of oncologic surgery in transurethral removal of UCB. It seems to facilitate histopathologic assessment. A possibly improved oncologic outcome has to be addressed in further studies.

Robot-assisted high-intensity focused ultrasound in focal therapy of prostate cancer.

In one-third of patients, prostate cancer (PCa) is monofocal. These patients can undergo focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy of the tumor without damage to surrounding structures and not compromising uro-oncologic safety. Robot-assisted HIFU coagulates the entire targeted volume within the prostate transrectally, in one session, without direct tumor contact and without adjuvant endourologic therapy. It is performed with the patient receiving spinal anesthesia and without blood loss; negative immunologic influence can be excluded. Heat-destroyed cancer cells that act as tumor vaccination are discussed. Right now, the limitation of focal therapy is caused by the lack of diagnostic accuracy to determine multifocal stages of PCa reliably. Discussions of tumor development, triggering primary lesion monotherapy, do not overcome skepticism about leaving invisible tumor foci untreated. This explains why PCa therapy today treats always the entire gland. Furthermore, the thought that the problem could be solved "radically, once forever," ignores the fact that in all PCa therapies, local recurrence rates are between 10% and 50%. Considering the longer survival of men in industrialized countries, a structured multimodal therapy concept should be created and evaluated in studies and should replace the competition between classic therapies. Focal therapy in most cases should be the first approach in cancer therapy because it is noninvasive, has low side effects, and is a single-session therapy. It does not exclude but may delay other, more invasive therapies in cases of cancer recurrence. Focal therapy should not be misunderstood as substitution for existing classic therapies but as a therapeutic first choice in monofocal, low-aggressive PCa cases.