Robotic Retroperitoneal Versus Transperitoneal Partial Nephrectomy: Outcomes and Learning Curve.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The robotic retroperitoneal approach for renal mass surgery was introduced in 2018 at the Department of Urology in the clinic of Leverkusen, Germany. Clinical criteria for the choice of the access site (trans- vs. retroperitoneal) are not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to explore the learning curve and the impact of the access site on clinical outcome, in order to elucidate which preoperative clinical criteria should be taken into account when choosing the renal approach site. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 107 patients who underwent robotic tumor surgery between June 2018 and March 2022 at the Department of Urology in the Clinic of Leverkusen, Germany. Data from 86 patients with transperitoneal robotic surgery of the kidney and 21 patients with retroperitoneal access were available for analysis. We evaluated the data of patients in a trans- and a retroperitoneal access group. The preoperative clinical data included anthropomorphic data, the Body Mass Index (BMI) as well as the Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for Anatomical Classification of Renal Masses (PADUA) - score. Intraoperative and postoperative data such as blood loss, clamping time, renal function and the learning curve of the surgeons was used to evaluate the outcomes of the two groups. RESULTS: Operation time in the retroperitoneal group was significantly shorter (p=0.015). Operation-specific variables showed no significant difference between the two groups. PADUA score and hilar clamping time showed no difference (p=0.345 and p=0.130, respectively). The learning curve in the retroperitoneal access group unveiled a noticeable difference in the experience and mastery of the involved surgeons. CONCLUSION: Mastery of the retroperitoneal approach is readily possible for surgeons with previous experience in robotic renal surgery without compromising the operative morbidity. The PADUA-score seems most suitable as a preoperative clinical criterion for choosing the renal approach site.

Lessons learned after one year of COVID-19 from a urologist and radiotherapist view: A German survey on prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, COVID-19 has changed the medical landscape. International recommendations for localized prostate cancer (PCa) include deferred treatment and adjusted therapeutic routines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To longitudinally evaluate changes in PCa treatment strategies in urological and radiotherapy departments in Germany, a link to a survey was sent to 134 institutions covering two representative baseline weeks prior to the pandemic and 13 weeks from March 2020 to February 2021. The questionnaire captured the numbers of radical prostatectomies, prostate biopsies and case numbers for conventional and hypofractionation radiotherapy. The results were evaluated using descriptive analyses. RESULTS: A total of 35% of the questionnaires were completed. PCa therapy increased by 6% in 2020 compared to 2019. At baseline, a total of 69 radiotherapy series and 164 radical prostatectomies (RPs) were documented. The decrease to 60% during the first wave of COVID-19 particularly affected low-risk PCa. The recovery throughout the summer months was followed by a renewed reduction to 58% at the end of 2020. After a gradual decline to 61% until July 2020, the number of prostate biopsies remained stable (89% to 98%) during the second wave. The use of RP fluctuated after an initial decrease without apparent prioritization of risk groups. Conventional fractionation was used in 66% of patients, followed by moderate hypofractionation (30%) and ultrahypofractionation (4%). One limitation was a potential selection bias of the selected weeks and the low response rate. CONCLUSION: While the diagnosis and therapy of PCa were affected in both waves of the pandemic, the interim increase between the peaks led to a higher total number of patients in 2020 than in 2019. Recommendations regarding prioritization and fractionation routines were implemented heterogeneously, leaving unexplored potential for future pandemic challenges.

Comprehensive analysis of complications after transperineal prostate biopsy without antibiotic prophylaxis: results of a multicenter trial with 30 days' follow-up.

BACKGROUND: To investigate infectious and non-infectious complications after transperineal prostate biopsy (TPB) without antibiotic prophylaxis in a multicenter cohort. Secondly, to identify whether increasing the number of cores was predictive for the occurrence of complications. Thirdly, to examine the relation between TPB and erectile dysfunction. METHODS: We analyzed a retrospective multicenter cohort of 550 patients from three different urological centers undergoing TPB without antibiotic prophylaxis. The median number of cores was 26. Demographic and clinical data were extracted by reviewing patients' electronic medical records and follow-up data such as postoperative complications obtained by structured phone interviews. To investigate the influence of the number of cores taken on the occurrence of complications, we performed univariate and multivariate mixed effects logistic regression models. RESULTS: There was no case of sepsis reported. Overall, 6.0% of patients (33/550) presented with any complication besides mild macrohematuria. In all, 46/47 (98%) complications were ≤Grade 2 according to Clavien-Dindo. In multivariate regression analyses, an increased number of cores was associated with overall complications (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.14, P = 0.01) and specifically bleeding complications (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11-1.50, P = 0.01) but not with infectious complications (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.97-1.10, P = 0.67). A total of 14.4% of patients referred impairment of erectile function after TPB. Of note, 98% of these men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first multicenter trial to investigate complications after TPB without antibiotic prophylaxis. In our study, we found no case of sepsis. This underlines the safety advantage of TPB even without antibiotic prophylaxis and supports the ongoing initiative to abandon TRB of the prostate. A higher number of cores were associated with an increase in overall complications specifically bleeding complications, but not with infectious complications. Post-biopsy erectile dysfunction was mainly present in patients diagnosed with PCa.

Perioperative Outcomes of Transurethral Resection, Open Prostatectomy, and Laser Therapy in the Surgical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A "Real-World" Data Analysis from the URO-Cert Prostate Centers.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is to compare length of hospital stay, transfusion rates, and re-intervention rates during hospitalization for transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), open prostatectomy (OP), and laser therapy (LT) for surgical treatment of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). METHODS: URO-Cert is an organization, in which clinical data of prostatic diseases from 2 university, 19 public, and 3 private hospitals and 270 office-based urologists are collected in order to document treatment quality. Data on diagnostics, therapy, and course of disease are recorded web based. The analysis includes datasets from 2005 to 2017. RESULTS: Of 10,420 patients, 8,389 were treated with TUR-P, 1,334 with OP, and 697 with LT. Median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR: 4-7) for TUR-P, 9 days (IQR: 7-11) for OP, and 5 days (IQR: 4-6) for LT (p < 0.001). Risk for a hospital stay ≥7 days was higher for OP versus TUR-P (OR: 7.25; 95% CI = 6.27-8.36; p < 0.001) and LT (OR: 17.89; 95% CI = 14.12-22.65; p < 0.001) and higher for TUR-P versus LT (OR: 2.47; 95% CI = 2.03-3.01; p < 0.001). OP had a significantly higher risk for transfusions than TUR-P (OR: 2.44; 95% CI = 1.74-3.41; p < 0.001) and LT (OR: 3.32; 95% CI = 1.56-7.01; p < 0.001). Transfusion rates were not significantly different between TUR-P and LT (OR: 1.36; 95% CI = 0.66-2.79; p = 0.51). Risk of re-intervention was not different between all 3 approaches. CONCLUSION: OP was associated with higher transfusion rates and longer hospital stay than TUR-P and LT. Risk of transfusion was not different between TUR-P and LT, but TUR-P was inferior to LT concerning length of hospital stay. Re-intervention rates during hospitalization did not differ between the groups.

Pelvic exenteration surgery in patients with locally advanced castration-naïve and castration-resistant, symptomatic prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate retrospectively the surgical, symptomatic and oncological outcomes of pelvic exenteration surgery (PES) in men with significant intrapelvic complications of locally advanced castration-sensitive (CSPC) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 103 patients with locally advanced progressive and symptomatic CSPC or CRPC underwent PES (radical cystoprostatectomy, n = 71 [68.9%]; radical prostatectomy with continent vesicostomy, n = 9 [8.7%]; total exenteration, n = 23 [22.3%]). All patients underwent local staging via magnetic resonance imaging, cystoscopy and rectoscopy. Systemic staging was carried out with chest, abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scans and bone scans. Peri-operative complications were assessed according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Symptom-free and overall survival were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical tests were two-tailed with a P value <0.05 taken to indicate statistical significance. RESULTS: After a median (range) follow-up of 36.5 (3-123) months, the symptom-free survival rate at 1 and 3 years was 89.2% (n = 89) and 64.1% (n = 66), respectively. The median symptom-free survival was 27.9 months. A total of 78.6% of the patients were symptom-free during their remaining lifetime. The overall survival rate at 1 and 3 years was 92.2% and 43.7%, respectively, and the median overall survival was 33.6 months. Clavien-Dindo grades 2, 3 and 4 complications developed in 31 (30.6%), 12 (11.6%) and eight patients (8.1%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenteration surgery is technically feasible in well-selected patients, resulting in symptom relief in >90% of patients, covering 80% of their remaining lifetime.

Preoperative Stating of Pelvic Lymph Nodes in Prostate Cancer Patients via Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (e-MRI), as a preoperative staging modality in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we analyzed data from N=168 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) between 2004 and 2013 at two tertiary medical centres. Prior to RP all patients underwent an e-MRI. Inclusion criteria were: PSA levels >20 ng/ml or Gleason score >7. Examinations were performed on a closed 1.0-T system combined with an endorectal body phased-array coil, imaging results were correlated with histopathology. RESULTS: 10.7% (N=18 patients) had histologically-proven LNM. e-MRI was true-positive in N=6 (33.3%) and false-negative N=12 patients (66.6%). N=150 (89.3%) patients without LNM e-MRI were true-negative in 96% and false-positive in 4%. Sensitivity was 96%, specificity was 33%, accuracy was 64.5%. CONCLUSION: e-MRI can be considered a useful preoperative staging modality in diagnosis of LNM.

[Vesicouterine fistula after caesarean section]. / Vesicouterine Fistel nach Sectio caesarea.

Vesicouterine fistulas (VUFs) are a pathological communication between uterus and urinary bladder, which are mainly related to iatrogenic lesions during caesarean sections or occur during vaginal deliveries after a previous caesarean section. The main symptoms are menstruation through the bladder (menouria), amenorrhea and urinary incontinence. Treatment can be conservative, hormonal or surgical; however, a spontaneous closure of the fistula is rare (5 %). We report a case of a female VUF with menouria after caesarean section with a successful surgical fistula excision. Based on this case report, we analyse the causes, symptoms, diagnostics and treatment of VUF as reported in the literature.

[Reconstructive urethral surgery]. / Rekonstruktive Chirurgie der Harnröhre.

Urethral strictures are independent of a patient's age and can happen in every life period. They are often iatrogenic, resulting from a transurethral surgical procedure or traumatic catheterisation. Endoscopic slotting is the surgery of choice; although this method is frequently associated with recurrence. Retrograde urethrography or cystourethrography continue to play a central role in diagnostic evaluation and treatment. There is no standardised procedure regarding the surgical technique, perioperative management, and postoperative follow-up. Evidence-based recommendations or guidelines do not exist. For a successful surgical treatment of the urethra it is important to have an excellent knowledge of the urethral and urogenital anatomy. The permanent removal of urethral strictures can only be achieved by open reconstructive surgery. Direct end-to-end urethroplasty is used, in general, for short bulbar urethral strictures, while urethroplasty with oral mucosa is used for longer bulbar and penile strictures. Urethral reconstruction using a patient-specific autologous cell transplant with MukoCell® is an alternative to the conventional transplantation with native oral mucosa. Urethral reconstruction should be performed in specialised centres with appropriate expertise.

[Female urethral diverticulum with calculus formation imitating stress incontinence]. / Weibliches urethrales Divertikel mit Steinbildung imitierend eine Belastungsinkontinenz.

A female urethral diverticulum (UD) is a rare condition with a prevalence of 0.6 - 4.7 %. Possible aetiologies include chronic infection of the periurethral glands, childbirth trauma, and iatrogenic lesions after urethral manipulation. The main symptoms are recurrent urinary tract infections, post-void dribbling and leakage of urine or purulent discharge by movement, which is caused by the emptying of the diverticular lumen (paradoxical incontinence). As this may imitate stress urinary incontinence, the final diagnosis is a challenge for urologists. We report the case of a female UD containing multiple calculi, which were diagnosed during diagnostic work-up of incontinence. Based on this case report, we want to present and analyse the symptoms as well as the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of UD as reported in the literature. Also we wish to emphasise that the differential diagnosis between a complicated diverticulum and stress urinary incontinence requires a precise knowledge of the symptoms and the diagnostic algorithm for the detection of a DU because the symptoms of these two conditions are similar.

Predictive Factors for Developing Venous Thrombosis during Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy in Testicular Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Malignancies and cisplatin-based chemotherapy are both known to correlate with a high risk of venous thrombotic events (VTT). In testicular cancer, the information regarding the incidence and reason of VTT in patients undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy is still discussed controversially. Moreover, no risk factors for developing a VTT during cisplatin-based chemotherapy have been elucidated so far. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 153 patients with testicular cancer undergoing cisplatin-based chemotherapy at our institution for the development of a VTT during or after chemotherapy. Clinical and pathological parameters for identifying possible risk factors for VTT were analyzed. The Khorana risk score was used to calculate the risk of VTT. Student t test was applied for calculating the statistical significance of differences between the treatment groups. RESULTS: Twenty-six out of 153 patients (17%) developed a VTT during chemotherapy. When we analyzed the risk factors for developing a VTT, we found that Lugano stage ≥IIc was significantly (p = 0.0006) correlated with the risk of developing a VTT during chemotherapy. On calculating the VTT risk using the Khorana risk score model, we found that only 2 out of 26 patients (7.7%) were in the high-risk Khorana group (≥3). CONCLUSION: Patients with testicular cancer with a high tumor volume have a significant risk of developing a VTT with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The Khorana risk score is not an accurate tool for predicting VTT in testicular cancer.

The Value of Endorectal Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Prostate in Improving the Detection of Anterior Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The diagnosis of anterior prostate cancer (APC) is troublesome due to its anatomical location. Patients with an APC often require multiple sets of biopsies until diagnosis is made. The objective of this study is to examine if endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (e-MRI) of the prostate could improve the detection of APC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 412 patients records with a clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels >4 ng/ml or a suspicious finding on digital rectal examination (DRE)) who underwent conventional e-MRI (e-cMRI) and functional e-MRI (e-fMRI) of the prostate and subsequent prostate biopsy from April 2004 to July 2010 was conducted. All patients had a history of at least one prior negative set of prostate biopsy. Sixty-five percent (N=268) of patients' images were considered suspicious for PCa of which 53 (12.8%) cases were considered to be suspicious for APC (defined as the presence of PCa anterior to the urethra). All patients underwent an 18-core transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided biopsy of the peripheral zone and an additional 3-core TRUS-targeted biopsy anterior to the urethra. RESULTS: The median age and median PSA levels of the patients was 68.9 (range=56-72) years and 12.7 ng/ml (range=6.4-21.3), respectively. DRE was only positive in 6 patients (11.4%). The overall PCa detection rate was 90.5%. APC was detected through the targeted cores in 48 patients (90.5%). Seven patients (13.2%) exhibited a PCa of the peripheral zone as well. e-MRI-positive predictive value was 90.5%. CONCLUSION: e-MRI of the prostate has a high predictive value in detecting APC. Patients with a constant increase of PSA levels, negative DRE findings and prior negative sets of prostate biopsy are ideal candidates for e-MRI of the prostate and subsequent TRUS-targeted biopsies of possible suspicious anterior gland sites.

Is an Extended Prostate Biopsy Scheme Associated with an Improvement in the Accuracy Between the Biopsy Gleason Score and Radical Prostatectomy Pathology? A Multivariate Analysis.

AIM: To examine whether an extended prostate biopsy (PB) scheme is associated with an improvement in the accuracy between the PB Gleason score (GS) and radical prostatectomy (RP) pathology and to identify probable preoperative variables that stratified patients likely to harbor significant upgrading (SU). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 538 patients' records diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) who underwent RP and exhibited a SU, at two tertiary medical centers, was conducted. The patients were divided into 3 groups: 194 who underwent a 6-core PB (36%), 156 who underwent a 12-core PB (28.9%) and 188 (34.9%) who underwent an 18-core PB. A multivariate analysis was conducted, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, clinical stage, prostate size and duration from PB to RP. RESULTS: The 6-core group exhibited a 42.7% SU, the 12-core group exhibited a 38.8% SU and the 18-core group exhibited a 14.1% SU. There was a highly significant lower rate of SU in the 18-core than that in the 6-core (p<0.001) and 12-core PB group (p<0.001) but no significant difference in the rate of SU was noted between the 6- and 12-core group (p=0.913). According to the multivariate analysis, only a prostate size of >35 g significantly elevated the probability of SU in the 6-core (p<0.025) and 12-core PB groups (p<0.025), respectively. CONCLUSION: An extended PB scheme is associated with a significant improvement in the accuracy between the PB GS and RP pathology. Prostate size >35 g in patients who undergo a 6- or 12-core PB is the only preoperative variable that stratifies patients likely to harbor SU.

Detection of recurrent prostate cancer lesions before salvage lymphadenectomy is more accurate with (68)Ga-PSMA-HBED-CC than with (18)F-Fluoroethylcholine PET/CT.

AIM: [(68)Ga]PSMA-HBED-CC ((68)Ga-PSMA) is a novel and promising tracer for highly sensitive combined integrated positron emission tomography and X-ray computed tomography (PET/CT) diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer (PCA). Our aim was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value (PPV/NPV), and accuracy per lesion, as well as the positive predictive value per patient of (68)Ga-PSMA PET/CT using post-lymphadenectomy histology as a standard, and to compare these values to those obtained in a patient collective scanned using (18)F-Fluoroethylcholine ((18)FEC) PET/CT. METHODS: Thirty eight patients had (18)FEC and 28 patients had (68)Ga-PSMA. We performed a pelvic and/or retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy, if necessary supplemented by resection of locally recurrent lesions in accordance with imaging results. RESULTS: In 30/38 (18)FEC and 23/28 (68)Ga-PSMA patients ≥1 focus of PCA was identified in postsurgical histology, leading to a per-patient PPV of 78.9 % for (18)FEC and 82.1 % for (68)Ga-PSMA. In (18)FEC and (68)Ga-PSMA patients, a total of 378 and 308 lymph nodes and local lesions were removed, respectively. For (18)FEC and (68)for Ga-PSMA, the respective sensitivity (95 % confidence interval) was 71.2 % (64.5-79.6 %) and 86.9 % (75.8-94.2 %), specificity was 86.9 % (82.3-90.6 % ) and 93.1 % (89.2-95.9 %), PPV was 67.3 % (57.7-75.9 %) and 75.7 % (64.0-98.5 %), NPV was 88.8 % (84.4-92.3 %) and 96.6 % (93.5-98.5 %), and accuracy was 82.5 % (78.3-86.8 %) and 91.9 % (88.7 %-95.1 %). CONCLUSION: In the present series Ga-PSMA PET/CT shows a better performance than FEC PET/CT with a significantly higher NPV and accuracy for the detection of locoregional recurrent and/or metastatic lesions prior to salvage lymphadenectomy.

Sextant-Specific Analysis of Detection and Tumor Volume by HistoScanning™.

INTRODUCTION: Published results of HistoScanning™ (HS) for prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostics are inconsistent and their value remains unclear. We prospectively analyzed the detection rate and tumor volume concordance in PCa patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred and eighty-two patients with biopsy-proven PCa scheduled for radical prostatectomy (RP) were included. All patients underwent ultrasonographical examination by HS prior to surgery. HS was evaluated compared to RP specimen as to (1) the prediction of overall tumor volume and (2) accuracy of HS in detection of PCa lesions larger than 0.2/0.5 ml, separated for each sextant. For each sextant, receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-analysis and area under the curve were determined. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated and visualized in ROC-curves. RESULTS: HS tends to underestimate volume of cancerous lesions, particularly larger lesions >8 ml. Using a 0.2 ml detection threshold, specificity and sensitivity of HS were between 29-68% and 46-78%. For a 0.5 ml detection threshold, sextant-specific specificity increased to 59-92% and sensitivity decreased to 16-54%. Stratification according to pre-operational PSA values did not improve performance characteristics of HS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results do not support a significant contribution of HS to PCa diagnostics.

How to Perform Image-guided Prostate Biopsy: In-bore and Fusion Approaches.

The integration of magnetic resonance imaging into urologic routine may be highly beneficial and change our standards for prostate cancer treatment.

Systemic Medical Treatment in Men with Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Recommendations for Daily Routine.

The approval or clinical evaluation of several new agents - cabazitaxel, abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, sipuleucel-T, and radium-223 - has significantly changed the management of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) prior to or after docetaxel-based chemotherapy. All of these agents have resulted in a significant survival benefit as compared to their control group. However, treatment responses might differ depending on the associated comorbidities and the extent and biological aggressiveness of the disease. Furthermore, treatment-associated side effects differ between the various drugs. As new drugs become approved, new treatment strategies and markers to best select which patients will best respond to which drug are needed. It is the aim of the current article to i) summarize the data of established treatment options in mCRPC, ii) highlight new developments in medical treatment, iii) provide clinically useful algorithms for the daily routine, and iv) point out future developments in medical treatment.

The Role of Palliative Surgery in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogues or antagonists represents the treatment of choice in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PCA). Depending on the serum concentration of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir, the survival might vary between 11 and 78 months. In castration-resistant PCA (CRPC), all new medical treatment options can induce complete and partial remissions in metastatic foci, but they have no profound effect on the prostate itself, as has been shown recently. About one-third of all patients without local treatment of the primary will develop significant complications of the lower and upper urinary tract due to local progression of the PCA. In men with CRPC and lower urinary tract symptoms, palliative transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be performed with a 60-70% success rate. Infiltration of the pelvic floor, the bladder neck and trigone, and the external urethral sphincter can make palliative radical surgery necessary. Bladder neck closure with continent vesicostomy, radical cystoprostatectomy with an incontinent urinary diversion, and anterior and posterior exenteration are individual therapeutic options in men with a good performance status and a considerable life expectancy. Symptomatic involvement of the upper urinary tract can be managed by the placement of endoluminal stents or a percutaneous nephrostomy in men with poor performance. In men with a good response to ADT and a good performance status, reconstructive ureteral surgery might be considered and the options of ureteral reimplantation, ureter ileal replacement, and a subcutaneous pyelovesical bypass have to be discussed. The indication to perform one of the above-mentioned surgical approaches needs to be discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board.

Role of Focal Therapy with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in the Management of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer.

Overtreatment of prostate cancer (PC) remains one of the main burdens in uro-oncology. Focal therapy may be a reasonable alternative with less side effects and morbidity. Application of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) induces immediate and irreversible coagulation. The treatment leads to consecutive necrosis with sharply delineated margins, making HIFU a promising tool for the focal therapy of localized PC. Unlike radiation, the treatment leaves no collateral damage outside of the heated tissue, allowing repeated use of HIFU, if necessary. In case of non-organ-confined relapse, additional radical salvage therapy can be performed. This review gives an overview of the existing evidence on focal HIFU. Today, 3 HIFU devices are approved for the treatment of localized PC: Sonablate™, Ablatherm™ and the FocalOne™ device. In summary, the first published results of focal HIFU are promising. The quality of life and potency of the patients are well preserved. Therefore, HIFU treatment, and especially focal ablation of tumor foci, seems to be a safe alternative to standard treatment, with low side effects. The oncologic results seem satisfactory but need further follow-up to validate this practice of PC control.