Improving Health Equity: The First Transcontinental HIFU Procedure in Prostate Cancer
Ruben Olivares, MD, discusses the important implications of the first transcontinental robot-assisted focal therapy procedure for prostate cancer.
The first transcontinental robotic-assisted focal therapy procedure for prostate cancer took place in a collaboration between Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Cleveland Clinic Main Campus This innovative procedure, utilizing the Focal One system, involved real-time collaboration between doctors in Ohio and Abu Dhabi. In an interview with Targeted OncologyTM, Ruben Olivares, MD, who supported the surgery remotely from the US, discusses this revolutionary procedure, highlighting its importance for improving health care equity worldwide.
"This kind of experience, we can provide all the options the same level of high care for all the patient in need, regardless where the patient lives, regardless where is his health system that is allowed to go," says Olivares in the interview.
The Focal One system enhances focal therapy, precisely targeting a specific section of the prostate with ultrasound beams, eliminating the need for major surgery or radiation. The remote 1-hour procedure was completed successfully without complications.
The journey to this achievement began in October 2023, with Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi introducing the Focal One high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy. This method effectively treats nonmetastatic prostate tumors while minimizing side effects.
Along with Olivares in the US, Waleed A. Hassen, MD, oversaw the procedure in Abu Dhabi.
The ability to perform long-distance robotic surgery, as demonstrated by the Cleveland Clinic collaboration, carries significant implications across various aspects of healthcare. This technology has the potential to break down geographical barriers, allowing patients in remote or underserved areas to access specialized surgical expertise that might not be available locally. Patients would no longer need to travel long distances, reducing costs and time, and potentially leading to earlier and more timely interventions. Surgeons in different locations can collaborate in real-time on complex cases, bringing together diverse expertise and knowledge. This can be particularly valuable for rare conditions or intricate procedures. It also opens avenues for remote mentoring and training of surgeons. Further, by extending the reach of specialized surgical care, long-distance robotics could help address health inequities between well-resourced urban centers and remote or developing regions.
