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22 January 2010 HIFU success depends by surgeon's experienceThe main study conclusion was high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), in the hands of inexperienced clinicians, is not necessarily as safe as some of the sales pitches might suggest. In the hands of highly experienced or highly trained HIFU practioners, with access to second- and third-generation equipment, the results may be different. Researchers considered there have been many men who have had excellent outcomes after treatment with HIFU, and they do not intend to leave the public with the idea that HIFU is a dangerous form of treatment. However, it is also very clear that it takes time and experience to learn to carry out HIFU well, and that, until that experience has been accumulated, clinicians may well not be able to achieve, with reliability, the quality of outcome that the patient is expecting. Even the clinicians using HIFU treatment in clinical trials in the USA today may have had limited training and limited experience with this technique, and potential patients are strongly advised to insist on a very detailed discussion of the individual physician’s experience before they commit to HIFU at this time. According to researchers strong opinion, all patients who are offered HIFU treatment should be properly informed of the risks, in particular with regard to continence and sexual function. NOTE: Issues on this site regarding prostate cancer and treatment options, are provided for information only, and are not meant to substitute for the advice of your own physician or other medical professional. Prostate-Report.org does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment. |
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