Focal One HIFU – prostate cancer treatment

Jedyny w Polsce ośrodek wykonujący zabiegi raka prostaty metodą Focal One HIFU

 

Focal One HIFU is an innovative, robotic, non-invasive procedure for radical prostate cancer treatment. Comparable to radical surgery or teleradiotherapy, HIFU preserves quality of life, sexual function and continence.

We are the second centre in the World using the robotic Focal One HIFU. Dr Rożnowski was the first in Poland to perform in 2006 HIFU ablation of prostate cancer. The Eskulap Hospital has been using ablatherm HIFU technique for prostate cancer since July, 2013 whereas Focal One HIFU since February 2014.

Patient benefits:

Only 3 HIFU systems are currently applied in the world, namely, Focus Surgery‘s Sonablate 500 system, Ablatherm fully robotic device and its successor – Focal One. Advantages of HIFU techniques for cancer prostate treatment:

  • The lowest risk of post-procedure sexual function impairment compared to surgical, laparoscopic treatment or radiotherapy
  • Brief time of a single session less than 3h
  • Efficiency comparable to brachytherapy or teleradiotherapy
  • May be performed in case of local recurrence after surgical treatment, brachytherapy, teleradiotherapy, HIFU
  • Minimally invasive, no incisions or scars
  • Bloodless procedure, relatively no transfusion risk
  • Painless, in general anaesthesia
  • You may return home 2-3 days upon procedure
  • Fast recovery period – without limiting everyday activity
  • You may return to work only 14-21 following procedure
  • HIFU technique has been applied across the world for about 20 years
  • HIFU technique efficiency proven by numerous research studies

Advantages – unique use only in Focal One HIFU:

3 x P

  • PLANNING is based on comparing MRI or PET/MRI images with the real-time ultrasound imaging.
  • PRECISION ablation of tissue measuring minimally 1.6mm x 5mm
  • PROVEN efficiency of destroying cancerous tumor during the same procedure using the contrast ultrasound.
    If urologist finds incomplete ablation of cancer areas during an intraoperative ultrasound check-up, he may decide to use ablation again or introduce alternative treatment.

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Specialist:

The key element of effective treatment is the long lasting experience skill of choosing the best method for an individual patient. Doctor Rożnowski is a pioneer of HIFU treatments since 2006.

Dr n.med Krzysztof Rożnowski - urolog, ekspert w dziedzinie zabiegów raka prostaty metodą hifu

Krzysztof Rożnowski MD
specialist urologist
FEBU – Fellow European Board of Urology 

 

Schedule your visit via e-Appointment.

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Price list, refunds provided by insurance companies:

Chargeable:
  • Cost of verifying a patient’s eligibility for the procedure with a USG & TRUS scans ammounts to 120 €;
    Cost of MRI scan ammounts to 150 € 
  • Cost of Focal One HIFU procedure amounts to 7000 €;
  • Follow-up appointments up to 4 weeks following the procedure – free of charge.
Insurance companies:
  • Check if your insurance coverage includes the cost of medical eligibility or procedure
  • If required we will prepare a treatment plan for your insurance company

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Eligibility for the procedure:

To asses if a patient qualifies for this type of treatment following exams are necessary:

  • Current PSA level
  • Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) scn
  • Prostate biopsy for tissue sections from 12 points
  • MRI or PET/MRI or CT scan

Indication for the procedure:

Extensive:

  • Patients who do not qualify for radical prostatectomy due to age, internistic history, etc.;
  • Patients who cannot accept radical surgery related complications;
  • Radical treatment of cancer limited to prostatic pouch and in tumours classified as T1a to T2b, Gleason scores to 8-9;
  • Palliative treatment in T-4 for immunisation (REG lymphocytes, reducing primary tumour mass);
  • Local recurrence after brachytherapy;
  • Local recurrence after radiotherapy;
  • Local recurrence after radical prostatectomy;

Contraindications:

Limited:

  • Multiple metastases,
  • Conditions which exclude general anaesthesia or epidural anaesthesia during a 3h procedure
  • Lesions including thickening of the rectal wall

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How it works:

Focal One HIFU technique uses ultrasound waves to destroy cancerous tissue. A focused ultrasound beam destroys cancerous cells.

The procedure is performed in general anaesthesia and takes about 3h to ensure patient safety and comfort. During the procedure a therapeutic ultrasound probe is placed in the anus.

With the use of PET, MR and the real-time ultrasound imaging the cancer areas are targeted. It’s a robotic technique and having planned the scope of procedure by urologist, a robotic device steers an ultrasound beam with high precision, radical approach and safety. It is a bloodless, incisionless procedure without injuring nearby structures including vessels, nerves or bowels.

The entire process of destroying cancerous cells is fully automatic based on computer design using high-intensity focused device supervised by urologist throughout the procedure.

Patient may start normal activity and move on his own only several hours following the procedure.

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Recovery:

After the procedure:

  • A catheter is inserted into the bladder for 2-3 days
  • Catheter may cause some soreness around the urethra region
  • Up to 7 days after removing a catheter you take preventive antibiotics
  • Pain if any is minor. Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or other painkillers will solve the problem.
  • You should walk normally but abstain from strenuous exercise
  • You are recommended to abstain from sexual activity for 6-8 weeks.

You may return to work only 14 – 21 days following the procedure.

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Follow-up vistis:

  • A follow-up visit is appointed 3 months following the procedure
  • If needed, follow-up visits free of charge up to 4 weeks after the procedure
  • Over the first year a check-up takes place every 3 months (normally they include consultation based on free PSA test / total PSA test, TRUS, MRI)
  • Over the second and following years up to fifth year following the procedure checkups are every 6 months (normally they include consultation based on free PSA test / total PSA test, TRUS, MRI)
  • In case of abnormal PSA findings, you may be required to have imaging diagnostics like USG, PET or MRI or TK or Scyntygraphy

Should you have any doubts or notice any distressing symptoms like urine retention, painful urination, incontinence, frequent urination during the day or/and night, painful testicles or / and epididymis do not hesitate to consult your physician.

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Appointments:

Eligibility for the procedure is determined during a specialist consultation with your urologist who will perform the procedure based on PET/MRI or MRI or TK with USG. The doctor considers indications and contraindications as well as technical possibilities for HIFU procedure and plans treatment.

Registration available through an e-Appointment form.

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Disclaimer:

This website describes standard aspects concerning your disease and treatment. It is not intended to replace professional medical treatment or talk between you and your surgeon about your disease and relevant treatment.

According to opinions of many worldwide urological societies, HIFU is regarded as a complementary and not competitive technique to other prostate cancer treatment options.

The procedure concerning disease and treatment may vary depending on a patient and a urologist’s experience.

Should you have any queries about the laser procedure, preparation for it or postoperative treatment, a fee for surgery or cost coverage by your insurance company, do not hesitate to ask your urologist.

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