The complications observed with the patients in the different European hospitals using the Ablatherm device are quite homogeneous. Here after, you will find a chart with the main side effects in relation with the treatment of prostate cancer with Ablatherm. It is important to notice that the index measuring the quality of life of the patients do not change before to after treatment.

5-year follow-up 0% 0.7% 5.8% 5.8% 52.7% TURP + HIFU 0% 0% 11.4% 6.9% 31.8%

(1) The digestive complications of the Ablatherm treatment are represented by the risk of rectal burning. This risk concerns mainly the patients who underwent repeated local treatments, and who's rectum was made fragile.

(2) Almost all incontinence cases are mild and temporary incontinence which can generally be managed with drugs and/or muscle training, lasting one month in average.

(3) When the cancer is localized in only one lobe of the prostate, the impotence risk after Ablatherm can be reduced by the performance of a partial treatment, limited to the prostate's region invaded by the tumor. In that case, a second treatment session is more often necessary than after a complete treatment.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer:
5-year Experience . A. Blana, B. Walter, S. Rogenhofer, W.F. Wieland, University of Regensburg, Dept. Of Urology, Germany. Urology 63 (2), p. 297-300, 2004.

The Status of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the Treatment of Localized Prostate Cancer and the Impact of a Combined Resection . C. Chaussy, S. Thüroff, Munich-Harlaching University, Germany. Current Urology Reports, Volume 4, Issue 3, 2003.

Last update: July 2004