When men face a diagnosis of localized prostate cancer, they often worry about how treatment will affect their quality of life. Specifically, many worry about losing the ability to control their bladder or maintaining sexual function. A large review of data involving over 2,000 patients compared two common ways to treat the cancer: high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).
The findings show that men who received the ultrasound treatment had higher scores for erectile function at the 6, 12, and 24-month marks compared to those who had surgery. Additionally, the ultrasound group showed better rates of urinary continence, meaning they were more likely to be free of pads. Both groups reported similar levels of general prostate symptoms and had similar rates of needing further treatment later on.
While these results are encouraging for patients concerned about side effects, it is important to note that the study did not provide data on long-term cancer outcomes. Because these results come from a meta-analysis of other studies, the long-term success of the cancer treatment itself is still being confirmed. Patients should talk to their doctor to decide which path fits their specific health needs.
