| AN
EVALUATION OF HEMI-ABLATION THERAPY USING HIGH-INTENSITY FOCUSED
ULTRASOUND (HIFU) IN THE TREATMENT OF LOCALISED ADENOCARCINOMA
OF THE PROSTATE.
Hashim Ahmed, Mark Emberton, Professor A. Mundy Institute of Urology, London |
 |
Summary of Work
The hemiablation clinical trial is treating men who have prostate cancer on just one side by destroying just that half only using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). This treatment uses soundwaves to destroy the prostate tissue without the need for any needles or cuts to the skin. The treatment is usually a daycase procedure. We are trying to show whether we can reduce the amount of side-effects (such as impotence, incontinence, rectal problems) that men experience from traditional treatments (radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy).
In order to prove that men have cancer on just one side, the trial is using state-of-the-art MRI scans and a biopsy technique that ‘maps’ the prostate accurately. Only when these show that there is definitely cancer on side only, is the man eligible for continuing on to the half-gland treatment. We are looking to treat 20 men and follow them up for at least 12 months, although they will continue to be followed up after that time under the NHS.
B. Other Agencies involved
| 1. Cancer Research UK |
| The trial we are running with the kind support of Prostate Research Campaign UK has also obtained prestigious funding from Cancer Research UK’s Feasibility Study Committee. |
| 2. National Cancer Research Network |
| We have obtained approval from the NCRN which is a government nationwide agency monitoring the clinical activity in cancer that is ongoing. It has strict criteria for entry into its register of clinical trials and very rarely allows in small trials of this nature. |
| 3. Clinical Trials Unit |
| Dr Jan van der Meulen (Clinical Effectiveness Unit, The Royal College of Surgeons of England) will act as a monitor for the trial. |
C. Trial Recruitment
The trial has been open to recruitment for 3 months and the total number recruited = 18 patients
| - 11 patients have undergone MRI and prostate mapping biopsies | |
| 6 have proven cancer on just one side and have had hemiablation HIFU treatment. | |
| 4 have been shown to have cancer on both sides and have therefore been withdrawn from the trial. | |
| 1 man had no cancer on the prostate mapping biopsies and has been withdrawn from the trial. | |
| - The other 7 patients are still undergoing either MRI scans or prostate mapping biopsies | |
D. Presentations
Hashim Ahmed has presented on the theoretical basis of this trial at an international meeting in Oxford (The International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, ISTU 2006) and at the St Bartholomew’s (London) ‘Future of Uro-oncology’ symposium convened by Professor Tim Oliver, attended by a number of leading international figures in urology and oncology.
Interim research report dated 05 November 2006
Project 2005/16 and its extension 2006/01