Soundwaves may ease the side-effects of treatment for prostate cancer

Published on Wednesday 1 July 2009 21:59

MEN with early prostate cancer could soon be treated with soundwave technology instead of surgery.

The experimental therapy leads to fewer side-effects, according to a study of 172 men whose cancer had not spread beyond their prostate. They were given general anaesthetic and treated with high-intensity- focused ultrasound (Hifu), which involves the use of high-frequency soundwaves to kill cancer cells.

Small amounts of tissue are heated up to a temperature of between 80C and 90C. The treatment can be used to treat the whole prostate or only the areas with cancer.

All the men in the study were treated as day patients and 78 per cent were discharged from hospital in an average of five hours.

Out of the group, 159 men were followed up a year later and 92 per cent were found to be cancer-free. .

The trial took place at University College Hospital and the private Princess Grace Hospital, both in London, and the results were published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Men with prostate cancer are usually treated with surgery or radiotherapy.

While they may be expected to have similar cancer-free results as in this trial, surgery involves a hospital stay of two to three days, while those having radiotherapy usually need daily outpatient treatment for up to a month.

The research found that men treated with Hifu had fewer side effects than those treated with radiotherapy or surgery. Fewer than 1 per cent suffered incontinence, none had any bowel problems and 30-40 per cent had impotence. Of men treated with surgery or radiotherapy, 5 to 20 per cent usually suffer incontinence and half impotence.

Dr Hashim Ahmed, who ran the trial, said: "This study suggests it's possible that Hifu may one day play a role in treating men with early prostate cancer with fewer side-effects."