Introduction
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a new type of minimally invasive ablative therapy for renal cancer. Patients suffering from renal cancer may not be considered suitable for surgical procedures because of various reasons. In these circumstances, HIFU is feasible as an ablative treatment for the kidney lesions.
Benefits of HIFU
Minimally invasive nature. HIFU is produced by an extra-corporeal machine and targeted by ultrasound imaging towards the renal lesions. There is no need for any skin incision or puncture.
The procedure
Patient receiving HIFU will be anaesthetized and placed in a prone or decubitus position on the HIFU machine table. The need for anesthesia is to minimize excess bodily movement and to control ventilator effort during the HIFU procedure. HIFU is then administered using real-time ultrasonography guidance to achieve ablation of the renal lesion. Typically the procedure lasts for 120 minutes.
Risk
Common risks:
1. Risk associated with anesthesia
2. Skin erythema and discomfort at the site of contact with the HIFU energy transducer
3. Failure to completely ablate the tumor, requiring subsequent alternative therapies for the management of residual tumor
Uncommon risks:
1. Skin blistering at the site of contact with the HIFU energy
Preparation before the procedure
Patient should be fasted according to the suggestion of the anesthesiologist. Otherwise no special preparation is necessary. The use of antiplatelet and / or anticoagulants should be stopped in the usual manner as before surgical procedure.
Care after the procedure
Patient will be nursed in the ward or treatment center after the procedure until the effect of anesthesia wears off. Afterwards he or she can be discharged. Reassessment imaging of the renal lesion will be performed 4 to 6 weeks later. Follow-up visits should be arranged 2 weeks after procedure to observe for any untoward effects or complications.
Remarks
This is general information only and the list of complications is not exhaustive. Other unforeseen complications may occasionally occur. In special patient groups, the actual risk may be different. For further information please contact your doctor.
