PRESS RELEASE, MIAMI, FLA. : Dr. George M. Suarez, Founder of Suarez Urology, a Miami based urology practice specializing in the diagnosis, and minimally invasive treatment of localized prostate cancer with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, is now providing the most advanced diagnostic tools for the precise and accurate diagnosis and treatment of localized prostate cancer by utilizing a newly developed FDA approved technology. The sophisticated combination of multi parametric-MRI with the fusion of ultrasound images provides superior capabilities for early diagnosis of prostate cancer never available before. Dr. Suarez noted that Suarez Urology is the first clinical practice to incorporate multi-parametric MRI, as well as both transrectal and transperineal biopsy capability in the United States.

The principle advantage of the combined technologies allows the ability to offer focal and hemi-ablation HIFU treatment in properly selected patients. As well as plan for optimal whole gland potency sparring HIFU treatment. The combined fused imaging studies are then incorporated into the Sonablate HIFU “Smart Target™” treatment plan with the ability to limit treatment to the cancer areas, and not affecting the healthy non-malignant tissue.

Dr. Suarez stated: “We are also getting ready to go live on our previously registered website, www.malelumpectomy.com, a domain we registered over 10 years ago in anticipation of the future of where prostate cancer treatment was headed. This MRI-Ultrasound fusion technology has been available outside the United States for some time, and many urologists feel this medical break-through of improved diagnostics and focal HIFU therapy will be the new standard for diagnosis and treatment of localized prostate cancer. In many ways this resembles the evolution that occurred in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer when blind breast biopsies were followed by radical surgery (mastectomy) and extended axillary lymph node dissection. Resulting in the physical, emotional and psychological compromise to the patient and their families. Image guided biopsy, mammography and lumpectomy progressed to a treatment that today offers true tissue sparring therapy for women with breast cancer. We are equally optimistic that we are in position to provide similar alternative for men with prostate cancer.”

As founder and medical director emeritus of SonaCare, formerly USHIFU/International HIFU, Dr. Suarez, brings huge expertise in the application for MRI-ultrasound fusion diagnostic capability and the potential of focal “Smart Target” HIFU therapy.

In addition to prostate “GPS Guided” biopsy capability and greater sensitivity and specificity for sampling the suspicious regions of interest, this technology will also decrease the need of unnecessary biopsy sampling, as well as unnecessary treatment beyond the diseased area.

CONCLUSIVE ADVANTAGES OF MULTIPARAMETRIC PARAMETRIC-MRI ULTRASOUND FUSED PROSTATE GUIDED BIOPSY

Incorporating the following features and advantages over existing, mostly blind biopsy sampling and treatment, image-guided biopsies provides the following imaging enhancements to standard 2-Dimensional ultrasound. The “Smart Target” Sonablate HIFU treatment allows for precision treatment limited to the cancer cells.

• Automatically converts a 2-Dimensional ultrasound image to an enhanced 3-Dimensional image can be manipulated to plan and manage the patient biopsy process.
• Greatly increases the ability to examine the prostate for abnormalities or suspicious areas or regions of interest (ROI) which may need sampling.
• Advanced needle navigation and tracking with the capability to view in real-time.
• Sophisticated recording of actual biopsy sites sampled; sites can be revisited at any time if additional biopsies are necessary.
• The ability to view and overlay previous prostate gland volumes and biopsy locations.
• Accurately assists you in the tracking and management of prostate cancer.

“SMART TARGET ™” HIFU TREATMENT

The “Smart Target HIFU™” treatment utilizes a unique software to incorporate the multi-parametric-transrectal ultrasound fused images onto the Sonablate HIFU equipment. This allows the urologist to perform precision image guided “Smart Target™” treatment of the cancer cells while avoiding unnecessary toxicity to the non-cancerous cells. Thereby, minimizing potential side effects or collateral damage healthy tissue and vital structures responsible for preserving urinary continence and sexual potency.

“The break through of image guided precision in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer will have huge impact on the way we treat the most common cancer in men, the second most cause of cancer related deaths and as well as provide an alternative therapy with less side effects, complications or collateral damage to quality of life issues common with other treatments.” Stated Dr. George Suarez.

For additional inquiries, please refer to the contact information below:

George M. Suarez, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Founder, Medical Director Emeritus,

SonaCare Medical.

US HIFU, International HIFU

Office information: 9195 Sunset Drive, Suite 110

Miami, Fla. 33173

Telephone: 305-595-0199

Toll free: 1-877-9795325 or 1-877-why-leak

Websites:

www.hifumedicalexpert.com,

www.suarezurology.com,

www.malelumpectomy.com.

www.drgeorgesuarez.com

Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Lawsuit: Parker Waichman LLP Reacts to a Training Specialist Who Said She Taught Doctors How to Use the Robot—Not Operate on Patients

Source: Emediawire.com

“Training protocols and procedures are and remain key issues in this litigation,” said William J. Dubanevich, attorney at Parker Waichman LLP. Parker Waichman LLP, a national law firm dedicated to protecting the rights of victims injured by defective me …

Read more at http://www.i4u.com/2013/05/food-and-drug-administration/system-medical-hifu-sonatherm-fda-cleared-launch-associatio#mP5tVlrkwxXYSG7T.99

Dr. George M. Suarez comments: As a caring physicians, we all hope that we can provide optimal treatment to our patients, regardless of their medical condition. The marketing and push efforts to promote robotic surgery, albiet effective in the right hands, should be a concern to all patients as well as all surgical specialist performing robotics. It is well known that robotic surgical intervention requires an extended learning curve (greater then 100-200 cases), frequency of use by the operating physician and “eye-hand coordination skills”  that are not common to all surgeons. Not any different then similar skill sets that differentiate a artist of portraits from the skills of a commercial painter to paint anything placed before him… be it a house, a building, a bridge or just about any structure. There is a huge difference in skills and talent required by an artist in the difference to create a portrait of fine art from “throw paint skills.” Think of  another daVinci, Leonardo daVinci and giving him a tool to paint the Sistine Chapel, but without the skills to accomplish the task.

Likewise, the skills and talent of an accomplished plastic surgeon are vastly different then those of a skilled dermatologist. Yet they both deal with cosmetics enhancements and similar treatments. The training and skills by accomplished urologist are likewise different then those required to be a nephrologist, in spite that both treat renal medical conditions. Philosophically, we embrace the idea that all men and women are created equal. However, we need to recognize that the talents of all men and women are not equal. Likewise, the skills and talent to be a robotic surgeon are not equally distributed to all specialties promoting robotic surgery. They are limited to those individuals that are properly trained and perform robotics on a regular basis. This is not “rocket science.” When we get on a plane we want a seasoned veteran pilot, not a rookie or a guy in training. When we arrive at our destination we want a taxi driver that knows his way around our destination, not a “new-be” that has little to no idea where of our destination.

Unfortunately , the marketing efforts to push robotic surgery on multiple surgical specialties has become a driving force pushing doctors to embrace robotics or be boxed out of the equation. It has been with great disappointment that I have witnessed phycisian say, ” I have to offer robotic surgery, and if not I will lose patients to other doctors.” The question is how did these doctors reach this decision? What was the tipping point? The answer lies on the laurels of the marketing of the robotics company, as well as the failure of doctors in allowing these companies to influence them. It truly has become a game of “pay to play and participate” or “get left out.” Unfortunately there is only one winner; the manufacturers of robotics and their company’s share holders. Not the patient and not the treating phycisian, as there is no prove that robotic surgery offers any better outcome then alternative options. Particularly, no better then laparoscopic surgery, where the procedure is performed by the “real live hands” of a surgeon, and not via extended robotic arms of a machine that serves as an extension of the procedure being performed by a doctor in another room different from the patient’s. The only robot is the physician that accepts this as a therapeutic option without thinking through the importance of the real clinical outcomes.

I recently had a conversation with a urologic colleague about robotics to which he commented: “the only aspect of robotics is that there is no robot, However, there is a puppet-robot acceptance of the technology, and they are our patients and our own doctors.

If you’ve had an EBRT or external beam radiation therapy failure, you may suffer from recurrent prostate cancer. However, there might be an answer, according to an article in Urology Times. This article states that HIFU or high-intensity focused ultrasound may provide a treatment with a high rate of success in this situation.

One of the things found within the 6-year study the article reports on, was that HIFU must be performed as quickly as possible after the failed EBRT. This is even more important if the patient has also gone through hormone deprivation therapy. If the radiation failure is detected early, it is possible for HIFU to be used as a salvage treatment with good results, according to the study.

The study looked at a total of 982 men, 411 who received ADT and 571 without any hormone treatment. The average age of these men was 69 and they had all gone through a failed EBRT. The percentage of success was higher in the men who had received hormone treatment compared to those not receiving ADT. The good news is the survival rate for these men was over 50% for five years.

Overall results of the study show, men undergoing the HIFU treatment after a failed EBRT have a higher survival rate and showed dramatic improvement. The safety profile of this salvage treatment is very good and the results of the study speak for themselves. This is a good choice for those with recurrent prostate cancer after a failed treatment and most of the side effects were only found in a small percentage of men.

What the study really shows is that after a failed external beam radiation treatment, HIFU is a good option as a salvage treatment. However, it’s important that the treatment is used as quickly as possible and the failure of the EBRT is detected as soon as possible, especially for patients that have also undergone hormone therapy.

When prostate cancer reaches stage 3, it means the cancer has started to spread outside the prostate to other tissues. However, it hasn’t reached the lymph nodes or organs yet. Often, it has spread to a gland or the seminal vesicles during this stage. Most cases of stage 3 prostate cancer are found through a digital rectal exam. Many of the symptoms may be present including erectile dysfunction, pain in the hips or upper thighs and urinary problems.

Treatment options for stage 3 prostate cancer include:

• •    HIFU
• •    Hormone therapy
• •    External beam radiation with hormone therapy
• •    Radical prostatectomy

 
The five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer is over 99%, according to the American Cancer Society.

Stage 4 Prostate Cancer

Stage 4 is the final stage of prostate cancer and is characterized by the spreading of cancer cells to tissue, lymph nodes, bones and organs. Many symptoms come with this stage of prostate cancer including fatigue, erectile dysfunction, unexplained weight loss, back pain, pain in the thighs or hips and urinary problems. Treatment options for stage 4 prostate cancer are a bit more limited compared to earlier stages and include:

• •    Hormone therapy
• •    External beam radiation with hormone therapy
• •    Chemotherapy
• •    Radical prostatectomy

 
The five-year survival rate for a stage 4 diagnosis is 29%, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s important to note that the prognosis depends on how far the cancer has spread and which parts of the body have been affected. Men should undergo regular prostate screening to ensure they’re diagnosis happens before the cancer reaches stage 4. This allows for more treatment options, such as HIFU and the first three stages have a much higher survival rate.

If you haven’t had a prostate exam within the last year, it’s highly recommended that you contact your doctor for a screening as soon as possible.

If you’ve been diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer, this means the cancer is only found in a very small part of the prostate. In this stage, the cancer grows very slow and may never show any symptoms. Treatment is determines by the health and the age of the individual and most men suffering from stage 1 prostate cancer will survive. Some of the common treatments for stage 1 include:

•    HIFU
•    Cryotherapy
•    Monitor and wait
•    Radical prostatectomy
•    Radiation Therapy

Stage 2 Prostate Cancer

When the cancer has advanced to a stage 2 diagnosis, it is still only found in a small area of the prostate. It hasn’t started to spread to the rest of the body yet, but the cancer is more aggressive than it is in stage 1. At this point, it’s more likely the cancer will spread if it’s not treated and you may experience mild symptoms. Just like stage 1, stage 2 patients have a very high survival rate.

Stage 2A and 2B

Prostate cancer in stage 2 is typically divided into stage 2A and stage 2B. The biggest difference is where the cancer is and how it’s found. With stage 2A, the cancer cells are usually found through a needle biopsy and only found in one-half or less of one lobe. However, when the cancer is classified as stage 2B, it’s found on opposite sides of the prostate and cannot be felt during a rectal exam.

Treatment options for stage 2 prostate cancer include:

•    HIFU
•    Hormone Therapy
•    Brachytherapy
•    Cryosurgery
•    Radical prostatectomy
•    External beam radiation

The chances of survival in stage 2 are very high, but the cancer needs to be treated. The five-year survival rate for stage one and two prostate cancer patients is more than 99%, according to the American Cancer Society.

Dr. George M. Suarez comments: SonaCare Medical, formerly USHIFU/International HIFU, has  moved, if not sky rocketed.The treatment has leaped forward into the future of diagnosis and treatment of image guided soft tissue tumor biosy, diagnosis and treatment; benign or malignant. Like many other new and revolutionary “apps” of  technologic applications  I feel like the best of HIFU-image guided diagnosis and therapy is yet to come. A “great leap from mankind”: said Astronaut Niel Armstrong when he walked on the moon.  An enormous advancement for mankind to be able to offer an alternative treatment of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men. HIFU as a treatment offers unparalleled optimal therapy with minimal “collateral damage: to adjoining vital organs and their function.

From right to left are Dr. George Suarez (founder of SonaCare) , Mike Haynes. And Mike Klein (CEO of SonaCare).

Many prostate cancer doctors don’t discuss the emotional stress that comes along with prostate cancer. They spend a large amount of their time worrying about regular checkups, treatment options and how the cancer is acting. It’s still important to understand the emotional side because this type of cancer will not only affect the patient, but also their family and those around them.

Getting help dealing with the emotions of the cancer is necessary in a larger amount of cases. This part of the process can be overwhelming. Some people will react differently than others and this can lead to a long journey for all involved. It’s important to address the fears and other emotions involved with prostate cancer and here are a few ways you can find help.

Group Therapy – Many different types of facilities have support groups for prostate cancer patients and their families. Churches, community centers and other types of organizations often have some type of group to help a new patient deal with the emotional turmoil of the cancer. Usually, this type of therapy is hosted by a trained professional or a patient that’s been through it themselves. With the help of a group of others, you can find the support you need.

Life Coach – Many personal life coaches are available to help with support through the process. They may even go with you to chemotherapy, if necessary and often, they will provide an outlet for the man to express his emotions.

Online Forums – If you feel a little worried about using an option that might not provide much anonymity, you can use an online forum to chat with other patients and professionals. This is also a great option to help find basic information and do a little research on your own. Many patients have posted their stories and there are plenty of answers to the many questions you might have.

Whichever way you choose to get the support you need, it’s important to get both physical and emotional support. Your doctor isn’t always the best choice for emotional support, but can often refer you to a life coach or a support group.

Beautiful Puerto Vallarta – International HIFU Treatment Center …

Puerto Vallarta is located on the western coast of Mexico and offers visitors beautiful beaches, lush mountains and quaint cobblestone streets to expl.

www.internationalhifu.com/…/beautiful-puerto-vallarta-interna…

Dr. George M. Suarez comments: As the founder of USHIFU and International HIFU (currently SonaCare Medical)  and Medical Director Emeritus , I am always pleased to see such favorable reviews about our technology and our company. I am equally proud of all of our other treatment sites and participating treating urologist from all corners of the world. 

However, no one site is superior or different, but instead were designated to accommodate the geographic needs and proximity to serve our patients and our treating doctors. In the past 10 years, we have experienced a huge interest in HIFU for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Our technology is in FDA trials, and we continue to provide the highest quality of health care to our patients regardless of location. In fact, I often tell patients that they can be treated in any of our locations in the world. Be it Paris, Canada, Argentina or Israel etc… However, in order to accommodate our patients we have opened HIFU centers closer to United States accessibility. That is until hopefully one day HIFU becomes fully accessible in every city in America.