LYON, France, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDAP TMS S.A. , the global leader in the treatment of localized prostate cancer by high intensity focused ultrasound, will provide awareness support and educational resources to a number of charities, patient advocacy groups and treatment centers in support of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week 2006 in the United Kingdom.
The event, an annual health campaign organized by The Prostate Cancer Charity, coordinates individuals and groups throughout the UK to raise awareness among the public and media, generate funds for research, and provide information and support services for men and their families who are affected by the disease. Prostate Cancer is the second most common cancer in men. More than 30,000 men are diagnosed annually in the UK and 10,000 die from the disease. Early detection and treatment are proven critical elements in successfully beating the cancer.
As men become more aware of prostate cancer and early detection increases, men are also electing to pursue treatment based on both efficacy and lifestyle considerations. Increasingly, men are looking for treatments with successful outcomes while minimizing both short and long term side effects and recovery periods. In meeting this demand, Ablatherm-HIFU from EDAP offers efficacy rates at five years of follow up showing a 93 percent success rate by biopsy. Ten-year efficacy data will be shared in April at the European Association of Urology meeting to be held in Paris. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment also has significantly lower side effects such as incontinence and impotence, requires a single treatment consisting of two to three hours and allows the patient to resume a normal lifestyle in a matter of days.
A 63-year old patient treated in September 2005 following a diagnosis based on his PSA screen stated: "I had a serious health problem, and I did not know about it until the PSA test results. I'm so pleased about my treatment experience. I went into the hospital, had the procedure at 2 pm, the catheter was removed the following day and I was then able to go home -- walking out of the door. I was back to my normal life in just days rather than weeks with other treatment options my GP presented in our discussions."
Since its formal UK launch at Guy's Hospital in December 2005, the number of sites having access to Ablatherm-HIFU has increased from three to today 14 throughout the U.K. The company's U.K. partners, Sigmacon and Mobile HIFU(TM), are experiencing strong interest, especially around the London population center as more urologists and patients are learning about the procedure's outcomes proven on more than 9,000 patients treated to date at now more than 105 centers worldwide.
"Awareness of prostate cancer and its increasing prevalence among men as we live longer lifespans is a critical part of a healthy life," said Rafael Varona, Medical Director of EDAP. "Men diagnosed with prostate cancer have more therapeutic choices today and increasingly make decisions based not just on treating the cancer, but also in allowing them to continue living an active and enjoyable lifestyle. As more physicians and their patients become aware of Ablatherm-HIFU and its compelling clinical data verifying the success of treatments, more men are electing to pursue this course of therapy. Not only is Ablatherm-HIFU highly successful in treating the cancer, but the lower need to post-therapy hospitalization and treatment of side effects helps reduce the total cost of therapy making this a truly attractive option for all parties in the medical process."
Ablatherm-HIFU has also been successfully treating patients suffering from a recurrence of prostate cancer after prior radiation treatment. While studies show a wide range of results, post-radiation recurrence can be as high as 45 percent. Such patients have limited options and are not eligible for further radiation or other more invasive treatments. Ablatherm-HIFU is shown to be successful in European studies of re-treatment cases for locally recurrent prostate cancer.
About the Procedure
Ablatherm-HIFU is a non-invasive, precise and targeted procedure that delivers a beam of high intensity focused ultrasound to the prostate. Under spinal anesthesia, the Ablatherm-HIFU probe is placed into the rectum through which the focused ultrasound waves are directed into the cancerous prostate tissue without damage to the intervening tissue. This causes a rapid rise in temperature inside the prostate cells to 85 degrees Celsius destroying the cancerous cells. The procedure is completed in approximately two hours without blood loss or exposure to radiation. In addition to being proven highly effective, clinical data accumulated in multi-site studies shows very low side effects such as incontinence and impotence as compared to more invasive therapies.
About EDAP TMS S.A.
EDAP TMS S.A. develops and markets Ablatherm, the most advanced and clinically proven choice for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment of localized prostate cancer. HIFU treatment is shown to be a minimally invasive and effective treatment option with a low occurrence of side effects. The company is also developing this technology for the treatment of certain other types of tumors. EDAP TMS S.A. also produces and commercializes medical equipment for treatment of urinary tract stones using Extra-corporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL).
For more information on the Company, contact the Investor Relations Dept by phone at +33 (0)4 78 26 40 46 or see the Company's Web site at: http://www.edap-tms.com .
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These include statements regarding the Company's growth and expansion plans. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ablatherm-HIFU treatment is not yet FDA approved or marketed in the United States.
CONTACT: EDAP TMS S.A. Hugues de Bantel - Philippe Chauveau Blandine Confort +33 4 78 26 40 46 Halliburton Investor Relations Matt Kreps - Geralyn DeBusk 972 458 8000
EDAP TMS S.A.CONTACT: Hugues de Bantel, Philippe Chauveau, or Blandine Confort, all ofEDAP TMS S.A., +33-4-78-26-40-46; or Matt Kreps or Geralyn DeBusk, both ofHalliburton Investor Relations, +1-972-458-8000, for EDAP TMS S.A.
Web site: http://www.edap-tms.com/
