HIFU Sonablate Treatment

For many men with localized prostate cancer, one preferred treatment is using HIFU or high intensity focused ultrasound. There are a few different devices that have been developed to provide this relatively new prostate cancer treatment including the Ablatherm and Sonablate devices. Ablatherm is manufactured by EDAP in France and implemented at the Cleveland Clinic Canada for North American procedures by Maple Leaf HIFU. The Sonablate is made by Focus Surgery Inc.

The Sonablate 500 similar to the Ablatherm HIFU device, provides a real time scan of the prostate and surrounding organs and areas so the tumors and areas to be treated can be pinpointed before starting the procedure. Some differences in the Sonablate vs. Ablatherm HIFU treatment are outlined in this video.

The Sonablate HIFU and Ablatherm HIFU units use ultrasound technology. Typically there is a console with monitor, an emergency stop button, secure probe arm that articulates and the transrectal probe.

The first step in any HIFU procedure is to take an image of the prostate to allow the software to map where the probe will go and what areas the treatment will focus on. The physician or physicians monitor the computer controlled procedure in real time and make fine adjustments as needed. Neurovascular Bundle Detection (NVB) allows the treating physician to detect the location of blood vessels surrounding critical structures and nerve bundles. This helps to plan and map the treatment. Currently the Sonablate HIFU device is not approved by the FDA so can only be used for trials in the U.S.

The Ablatherm device has successfully been used in Toronto, Canada for over 6 years in treating hundreds of patients successfully.

Either Sonablate or Ablatherm sure represent a huge technological advance over traditional invasive surgery that involves incissions, a complex operation and lengthy recovery.