High intensity focused ultrasound treatment for prostate cancer

More than 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK. Many have early cancer that has not spread and are often treated with radical surgery or radical radiotherapy. Men with localised intermediate to high risk prostate cancer can choose to undergo radical therapy which targets the entire prostate regardless of disease burden or location. Since these target the entire prostate, gland collateral tissue damage can occur. While radical treatments are effective, this collateral tissue damage can cause side effects such as incontinence in 10-20% and impotence in 30-60%. Further, radiotherapy can cause back passage symptoms (bleeding, discomfort, loose stools) in 5%. This is because nerves, blood vessels and other tissues surrounding the prostate cancer sometimes get damaged.

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