Practice of HB-HTA on the study of HIFU technology for the treatment of prostate cancer and uterine fibroma

The aim of the study has been the development of a Hospital Based - Health Technology Assessment, study directed to analyze the clinical, social and financial aspects derived from the use of the HIFU method for the treatment of prostate cancer and uterine fibroma in comparison with the traditional therapeutic approaches. A systematic literature review was carried out inspecting the treatment of prostate cancer through the use of HIFU technology as well as its use for the treatment of uterine fibroma. At a later stage, clinical, social and financial indicators (gathered from EUnetHTA Core Model as well as from scientific literature) were defined and evaluated and a single benefit index was drawn in the end to have a rapid and direct comparison among the various treatment methods. For the treatment of prostate cancer, HIFU reaches good results in the clinical setting obtaining 78% of negative biopsy results post-surgery and a 68% disease-free survival rate at 5 years. It also proves efficient in the social setting and equal to traditional surgeries. For the treatment of uterine fibroma, HIFU presents an improvement of post-surgery symptomology in 80% of cases, revealing a good clinical efficacy and showing particularly convenient in the patient quality of life. Even though the traditional techniques represent the current gold standard, the initial results for the treatment of prostate cancer, exclusive to low risk of illness, and of uterine fibroma through the use of HIFU appear positive and, therefore, encouraging for the immediate future even though it remains fundamental to have greater availability of evidence especially in the long run.