<p><strong>Clinicians should not offer HIFU ablation/cavitation or cryoablation to patients for the treatment of LUTS/BPH outside the context of a clinical trial. (<em>Expert Opinion</em>)</strong></p>
Discussion
Discussion
<p>With the growing utilization and expansion of focal technologies for prostate cancer, there has been a rising interest in expanding these technologies for the treatment of BPH. These technologies include HIFU ablation/cavitation and cryoablation of benign prostatic tissues.</p>
<p>With regard to HIFU for the treatment of LUTS/BPH, there have been no RCTs and the number of studies available outside of an RCT are limited and heterogenous in their study design and outcome measures.<sup>407</sup> MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation also has very limited data with no prospective RCTs. The data that have been available for its use in BPH are coming from isolated open label studies or subgroup analyses in patients with prostate cancer who obtain concurrent treatment for their BPH.<sup>408, 409</sup></p>
<p>Cryoablation has been described for use in the treatment of LUTS/BPH, but there is also a lack of RCTs and decent quality studies in peer reviewed literature. Therefore, its use should also be considered experimental.<sup>410, 411</sup></p>
<p>Although there may be a role for these technologies in LUTS/BPH, the Panel feels that these technologies are still evolving and should not be used for the sole treatment of LUTS/BPH outside of a clinical trial.</p>