The Prostate Cancer Charity comments on research released
today (17 April) in the Lancet Oncology, which suggests that a new
treatment - focal high-intensity focused ultrasound (focal HIFU)
-has the potential to effectively treat prostate tumours with
dramatically reduced side-effects compared to traditional
methods.
Owen Sharp, Chief Executive of The Prostate Cancer Charity
said: "We welcome the development of any prostate cancer treatment
which limits the possibility of damaging side effects such as
incontinence and impotence. These early results certainly indicate
that focal HIFU has the potential to achieve this in the
future.
"However, we need to remember that this treatment was
given to fewer than 50 men, without follow up over a sustained
period of time. We look forward to the results of further trials,
which we hope will provide a clearer idea of whether this treatment
can control cancer in the long term whilst ridding men of the fear
that treating their cancer might mean losing their quality of
life".