Characterization of Longitudinal Anatomic and Functional Changes following HIFU Therapy and Implications for Prostate Cancer Surveillance

Detecting prostate cancer recurrence after high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy is a challenge for clinicians. We characterize longitudinal anatomical/functional changes of prostate in men undergoing HIFU therapy for prostate cancer. Nineteen men had mpMRI exams pre-HIFU, and at 1 and 12 months post-HIFU. Prostate volume decreased by 17% on the one year exam and in two-thirds of men changes in prostatic axis, up to 20 degrees in the direction of ablation. Functional mpMRI analysis shows a dramatic decrease in volume transfer constant (Ktrans) on dynamic contrast enhancing (DCE) imaging while there were no changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).