EDAP TMS SA, the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound, reported on March 5th, 2010 its successful participation at the Third International Workshop on Focal Therapy and Imaging of Prostate and Kidney Cancer, held February 24-27, 2010 in Washington D.C.
EDAP specific Symposium
During the high-level workshop, EDAP organized a specific Symposium, included in the official program, dedicated to Ablatherm-HIFU focal therapy for localized prostate cancer.
- Pr. Christian Chaussy, from Munich, Germany, with more than 15 years of experience with Ablatherm-HIFU, moderated sessions and presented the growing interest and perspectives on the use of focal therapy for prostate cancer in Europe.
- Pr. Roland Van Velthoven, from Institut Bordet, Belgium, and Dr. Sebastien Crouzet, from Edouard Herriot Hospital, Lyon, France, presented promising results on focal Ablatherm-HIFU in the primary treatment of localized cancer and salvage radiotherapy.
The presentations reflected the broadening use of Ablatherm-HIFU in focal therapy in Europe and EDAP's position at the forefront of focal therapy by offering patients a controlled minimally invasive solution to prostate cancer.
Ablatherm-HIFU in focal therapy
In the past 10 years, more than 21,000 Ablatherm-HIFU treatments have been performed worldwide. Based on their strong experience, expert physicians in Europe are now keen to adopt a more focal approach to the disease offering patients the ability to fully control their early stage prostate cancer, while minimizing side effects and improving their quality of life.
Among the growing number of prostate cancers diagnosed every year, the majority are being detected during the early, low-risk disease stage. Focal therapy will become the most adapted minimally invasive alternative to more invasive surgery and radiotherapy treatments for low risk cancers as it offers a dedicated solution before the disease progresses and requires more radical intervention.
The focal approach to prostate cancer disease is analogous to targeted breast cancer therapy which specifically treats the tumor, without requiring breast removal, to deliver positive benefits to patients at a lower cost of treatment.
Comments by EDAP's Chief Executive Officer
Marc Oczachowski, EDAP's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Feedback from the Third International Workshop on Focal Therapy demonstrated the high level of interest and excitement surrounding HIFU as a focal approach to localized prostate cancer. In an era where we have the technologies to frequently detect early-stage, low-grade prostate cancer, a minimally invasive treatment such as focal Ablatherm-HIFU will play an increasing role in ablating a targeted tumor and in controlling the disease while reducing risks for incontinence and impotence."
Marc Oczachowski continued, "We are enthusiastic about the growing number of Ablatherm-HIFU sites adopting focal approach in Europe for the treatment of prostate cancer. Confirming the high level of interest, a clinical study was initiated in September 2009 by AFU (French Association of Urology) and includes 10 clinical centers to validate the effectiveness of Ablatherm-HIFU focal therapy and demonstrate the significant patient benefits."
About EDAP TMS SA
EDAP TMS SA is the global leader in therapeutic ultrasound: its headquarters and its ISO 9001 certified facilities are based in Lyon, France.
EDAP TMS SA develops and markets Ablatherm, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer.
- HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects.
- Ablatherm-HIFU is generally recommended for patients with localized prostate cancer (stages T1-T2) who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer an alternative option, or for patients who failed radiotherapy treatment.
Approved in Europe as a treatment for prostate cancer, Ablatherm-HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is currently undergoing evaluation in a multicenter U.S. Phase II/III clinical trial under an Investigational Device Exemption granted by the FDA, the ENLIGHT U.S. clinical study. The Company also is developing this technology for the potential treatment of certain other types of tumors.
EDAP TMS SA also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using extra-corporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL).