OBJECTIVE
To assess the role of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Thirteen patients (mean age 65 years, range 58-74) were treated with HIFU as part of a phase-2 clinical trial and evaluated prospectively using the International Prostate Symptom Score, uroflowmetry, and transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography to determine prostate size and post-void residual urine volume, respectively. The results and the patients' satisfaction were assessed at regular intervals for 2 years.
RESULTS
The new procedure was learned quickly and was easy to perform. Symptom scores decreased from a mean of 23 before treatment to 5 after 12 months and 7 after 2 years. There was an initial improvement in flow rates but they then declined. The size of the prostate and the post-void residual volume were both decreased after treatment.
CONCLUSIONS
The treatment is safe, easy to implement and was effective in substantially reducing symptom scores in these few patients. However, we would not encourage its use as an alternative to other well established treatment modalities until it has been assessed fully in a randomized trial.