[Current state of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as treatment of prostatic carcinoma]

To evaluate the current state of high intensity focused ultrasound as therapeutical option of prostatic carcinoma (PCa)

We completed an extense review of urologic literature on the role of HIFU on the treatment of PCa.

This technique is nowadays usually being indicated in Europe as treatment of many cases of either primary or relapsed PCa after radiotherapy. Although some reports suggest that HIFU is very effective as treatment for low and medium risk localized PCa patients, no randomized series comparing this technique with conventional therapies have been presented yet. Great disparity in criteria to define free-disease survival is detected, which make difficult the interpretation of results.

Experience of some groups in HIFU is highly promising. Local tumour destruction is evident both in primary and relapsed PCa cases. To make conclusions in the long-term, controlled-randomized trials must be designed, with follow-up to measure benefits in global survival and quality of live. Comparisons must be completed with conventional techniques, and a uniform definition of disease free-survival is necessary.