Capabilities of echography during HIFU ablation steps in prostate cancer patients

Aim of the study was to estimate the capabilities of echography during the different steps of the prostate cancer HIFU-ablation; to determine the echographic features of prostate after HIFU-therapy and the role of the ultrasound tomography in monitoring of patients after ablation. The study included 41 patients with clinically localized form of the prostate cancer (T1-2N0M0), which were treated using HIFU-ablation with ultrasound navigation. Prostate cancer diagnosis was carried out in a common way as a result of the elevated PSA level. Ultrasound investigation was done pre-operatively with the aim of selection of patients for HIFU-therapy, also intra-operatively and post-operatively for treatment’s efficacy control. Mean time of the follow-up after operation was 9 months. The parameters, which were evaluated, were the extent of prostate shrinkage, internal echostructure and vascularization. Prostate shrinkage was evident in 6 first months with the mean final volumes of 68% compared to initial (p