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Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer |
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Prostate Cancer
HIFU and the Sonablate® 500
Treatment and Travel
Coverage
Prostate Cancer
1. What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. A normal, healthy prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut. It lies below the urinary bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra. The urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder and semen out through the penis, runs through the center of the prostate. The function of the prostate is to produce some of the seminal fluid that nourishes and carries sperm from the testicles and out of the penis during ejaculation. Because of its position an enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra causing urinary problems.
2. What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society estimates in 2009, that 25,500 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,400 will die of it.
On average, 490 Canadian men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer every week.
On average, 85 Canadian men will die of prostate cancer every week.
One in 7 men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, mostly after age 60. One in 27 will die of it.
3. Where does prostate cancer spread?
Prostate cancer can spread through the prostate, into the prostate capsule, and the fat surrounding the prostate. It can also spread to the base of the bladder and to the seminal vesicles, which are located adjacent to the prostate. When tumours spread into another area it is referred to as “metastasis.” Prostate cancer can metastasize into the lymph nodes or into the bones.
4. What options do I have for treating prostate cancer?
There are a number of different options for how prostate cancer can be treated, each has its own risks and benefits. Primarily patients choose between watchful waiting, surgery, and different types of radiation therapy. New emerging prostate cancer treatments such as HIFU are becoming increasingly popular because they are non invasive and preserve patient quality of life. Please read more about treatment options here.
5. Why are regular prostate check ups important?
Early stage prostate cancer may not exhibit symptoms; therefore, as men get older, especially over the age of 50, it is important to be tested every year in order to identify any abnormalities.
Can BPH be treated with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?
Absolutely. The Sonablate® 500 is an acoustic ablation device that is used for the treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. It is a non invasive procedure that can be done usually in one hour for most BPH cases. Several studies have been published on results of using HIFU to treat BPH. You can read more by visiting the clinical data section. Learn more.
HIFU & The Sonablate® 500:
1. What is the history of HIFU and how long has it been done?
Research on HIFU began in the 1950s at Indiana University (IU). In 1994, the first human prostate cancer study was done by Dr. Marberger and Dr. Madersbacher at the University of Vienna in Austria. In the study the Sonablate® 200 was used to treat 29 human prostates in vivo shortly before performing a radical prostatectomy. The goal was to investigate if the energy delivered was enough to destroy the desired tissue. The study found that treatment could be performed safely and could be repeated.
In 1995 a study done at Indiana University showed that the whole prostate could be treated without damaging the prostate capsule or the rectal wall. In 1999 Dr. Toyaki Uchida began treating patients using the Sonablate® 200. In 2001 Sonablate® 500 received the CE mark from Europe.
Currently there are nearly 100 Sonablate® 500 HIFU centres worldwide on six continents. There are over 150 physicians using the Sonablate® 500 worldwide and over 6,000 total procedures have been performed with the Sonablate®500. Health Canada approved the Sonablate® 500 in June 2005 and the first Sonablate® HIFU procedures were performed in Toronto in March 2006.
International HIFU is the distributor of the Sonablate® 500 in North America and South Africa.
2. Where can I find HIFU data and statistics?
To read clinical papers, abstracts and data visit our clinical data section where you can download the latest published data and reports. Learn more about the Benefits of HIFU with the Sonablate® 500.
3. Does HIFU only treat the cancerous cells or does it ablate the entire prostate?
HIFU treated the entire prostate by targeting tissue in six overlapping treatment zones. The tissue is heated rapidly in small lesion until eventually the entire prostate is ablated. By treating the entire prostate gland, the chance for recurrence, or the cancer coming back is minimized. All the organs and tissue outside of the prostate remain unaffected during HIFU.
4. If the entire prostate is treated, does that include the urethra? What happens to the uretha? is it damaged?
The urethra consists of different anatomical segments. From the tip of the penis to the base of the bladder: the fossa navicularis, the pendulous urethra, the membranous urethra and the prostatic urethra. During HIFU, the entire prostate is ablated, including the prostatic urethra, as it can have cancerous cells in it. In doing so the end result is an empty cavity that acts like a conduit during normal urination. However, the urethra is derived from a different type of tissue (derived from the bladder squamous type epithelium) vs. prostatic tissue (glandular, fibrotic and muscular) and regenerates/re-epithelializes with time. The sphincter and bladder neck are the vital structures with respect to maintenance of urinary function NOT the urethra. These vital structures are not affected or harmed during HIFU.
Treatment & Travel:
If you would like to schedule treatment at Can-Am HIFU please call 1 -877-787-5906. If you would like more information on scheduling treatment at other Canadian clinics or in one of the countries where HIFU is approved, call International HIFU at 1-888-874-4384.
What information do you need from me prior to scheduling treatment?
Before you can be scheduled for treatment and to ensure you are a candidate for HIFU, we require the following information.
1. Biopsy Report and Gleason Score
2. Trans Rectal Ultrasound Report- indicating the size of the prostate as well as the dimensions (L x W x H).
3. PSA Report
If you are a candidate for HIFU and would like to proceed with the procedure, the Can-Am HIFU team will provide you with information regarding additional tests and blood work.
When is the next available treatment date?
For a list of the upcoming treatment weekends please call 1-877-787-5906.
How long do I have to stay in the treatment location?
It is recommended that patients who do not live in the Greater Toronto Area arrive into Toronto the day before their scheduled treatment day. Accommodations can be made at the Sutton Place Hotel, which is the most convenient hotel to the Can-Am HIFU facility. For more information on the Sutton Place hotel please call 1-877-787-5906 or visit www.toronto.suttonplace.com.
Patients may travel home the day after treatment; however, we suggest resting an additional day and travel home two days after your treatment. Travel preferences depend entirely on the individual and vary from patient to patient.
Is the Procedure covered by OHIP or other Provincial Health Plans?
Although the procedure is approved by Health Canada it is not covered under any provincial health plan. However, you may be able claim HIFU as a medical expense on your taxes; for more information visit www.cra-arc.gc.ca. Can-Am HIFU will provide a detailed receipt after the procedure for tax purposes.
Additionally, patients may finance all or a portion of their treatment through a financing organization called Creditmedical Corporation; visit www.creditmedical.com for more information.
American Patients
Since the procedure is not yet approved by the FDA and is preformed outside the United States, US-based insurance companies and Medicare does not normally provide coverage for the treatment. However, several patients have been able to receive full reimbursement from their insurance company by filing a claim through an independent claims filing service; visit www.insuranceclaimsfiling.com for more information.
You may be able to deduct HIFU as a medical expense on your taxes; for more information on deducting medical expenses visit http://www.irs.gov or consult with your accountant. A detailed receipt will be provided after the procedure for tax purposes.
May I speak with a HIFU doctor or patient about the procedure and their experience?
Certainly, in fact we encourage it. Call 1-877-787-5906 to arrange a consultation with a HIFU physician or if you would like to speak with someone who has received HIFU treatment.
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