Know the complications and limitations of ablation.
Describe the HIFU procedure from start to finish with emphasis on steps that ensure patient safety.
Perform treatment planning for whole gland prostate HIFU ablation.
Perform HIFU probe preparation, placement and being a procedure.
Describe a prostate cryoablation procedure from start to finish with emphasis on steps that ensure
patient safety.
Perform cryoprobe placement to ensure adequate prostate coverage and avoid vital structures.
Conventional definitive treatment for prostate cancer predominantly consists of radical prostatectomy, external beam radiotherapy, and brachytherapy. Cryotherapy historically represents a smaller proportion of primary treatments. However, it has a well-defined role as a salvage treatment in locally recurrent disease following radiotherapy. The use of prostate MRI, novel molecular imaging techniques and PET tracers and targeted biopsy have allowed for spatial localization of areas of concern, aiding in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancers specifically following radiation therapy. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation of the prostate was FDA approved for prostate tissue ablation in late 2015 and Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), issued a C-code C9747 in July, 2017. As a result of a growing body of evidence, HIFU has now been included in national guidelines as a standard of care treatment option for local radiation recurrence. Subsequently, Medicare has provided local coverage decision (LCD) guidelines for HIFU in the salvage setting and approved reimbursement in August of 2018 with a number of other insurers doing the same.
As a result of this changing landscape, the need for an educational resource for clinical providers is essential to help define the indications, technical considerations, outcomes and limitations of tissue ablative technologies.
Knowledge is currently lacking due to its recent approvals with even those currently receiving Urological training having little exposure, and the limited experience in the United States.
It is essential that urologists understand the basic fundamentals of prostate tissue ablation to ensure optimal oncologic outcomes and patient safety as the vast majority of sites attempt adoption without a reliable and robust educational resource. The goal of this beginner course is to provide via a hands-on experience, an introduction to HIFU and cryoablation technologies, and the skills needed to appropriately select candidates and perform ablative interventions safely.
Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain tips and tricks from national and international leaders in the field who have extensive experience with existing and novel ablative technologies.
Accreditation: The American Urological Association (AUA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation: The American Urological Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 3 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.