AUA 2018: Predictors of Poor Functional Outcomes after Focal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound
The authors found on multivariable analysis that age and baseline function (prior to therapy) were the strongest predictors of all functional outcomes. This was demonstrated with predicting poorer continence and greater decreases in erectile function.
The UK has a centralized body that trains and proctors the use of focal HIFU, which helps to minimize differences in treatment and outcomes. Nonetheless, selection bias is difficult to eliminate in such datasets. That said, it is not particularly surprising that age and baseline function, which are already known to predict outcomes after other prostate procedures, would also be important for focal HIFU outcomes.
Presented by: Taimur Shah, Imperial College London
Written by: Shreyas Joshi, MD, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, @ssjoshimd at the 2018 AUA Annual Meeting - May 18 - 21, 2018 – San Francisco, CA USA