What is focal HIFU?
High-intensity focused ultrasound uses concentrated ultrasound energy to treat selected areas of prostate tissue. Treatment extent depends on tumour location and individual assessment.
Clinical research in high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal therapy for prostate cancer. From treatment selection to post-treatment surveillance and salvage strategies.
Our programme connects high-volume HIFU experience, prospective clinical research and international collaboration.
The UROLIB procedure count is distinct from the wider multicentre EDAP-TMS registry population. Figures refer to different datasets and should not be added together.
Evidence-led information to support a conversation with your urologist — not a substitute for individual medical advice.
High-intensity focused ultrasound uses concentrated ultrasound energy to treat selected areas of prostate tissue. Treatment extent depends on tumour location and individual assessment.
Suitability requires review of prostate MRI, biopsy results, PSA and disease extent. HIFU is not appropriate for every prostate cancer, and long-term comparative evidence continues to evolve.
PSA monitoring, prostate MRI and sometimes repeat biopsies are important. Recurrence and additional treatment remain possible; urinary and sexual side effects should be discussed.
This scientific website does not provide individual diagnoses or appointments. Clinical information and contact details are available on the UROLIB HIFU website.
Managing Partner, UROLIB — Clinique Saint-Vincent, Besançon, France
Dr Vincent Bailly is a French urologist and a pioneer in the clinical development of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and focal therapy for prostate cancer. As Managing Partner of UROLIB, he has played a leading role in establishing one of France’s most experienced HIFU programmes, with over 1,000 procedures performed at the centre.
Recognised for his expertise in Focal One robotic HIFU technology, Dr Bailly is actively involved in international education and the training of urological teams across Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and South America.
His clinical and scientific interests focus on personalised treatment strategies, patient selection, preservation of quality of life, post-treatment surveillance, predictive biomarkers and salvage focal therapy for recurrent prostate cancer.
He is an investigator in several multicentre clinical trials and research programmes, contributing to the development of evidence-based focal therapy.
At the 46th Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU), Florence 2026, he contributes to three scientific presentations addressing the evolution of HIFU treatment strategies and the role of PSA density in predicting recurrence following focal therapy.
Scientific interests: HIFU · Focal therapy · Prostate cancer · Focal One · Salvage HIFU · PSA density · Clinical research
Understanding treatment strategy, improving surveillance and refining risk assessment after HIFU.
Retrospective analysis of 731 procedures (2018–2024), documenting the shift from whole-gland treatment toward more tissue-sparing approaches.
Evaluation of PSA density measured 3–9 months after HIFU, compared with baseline PSA density, in a retrospective cohort.
Exploring whether PSA density adjusted for treated prostate volume improves the identification of patients at risk of biopsy-proven recurrence.
Conference findings are exploratory and require independent validation. Thresholds and performance estimates should not be used as standalone clinical decision rules.
Collaborative research across the HIFU pathway, including perioperative care and salvage treatment.
Katzendorn O, Uleri A, Baboudjian M, et al., including Bailly V. Cancers. 2025;17:3484.
Pre/post-intervention study (n = 58): fewer symptomatic urinary infections and unplanned visits after introduction of a digital perioperative pathway. Non-randomised design.
Baude J, Teyssier C, Barbier V, et al., including Henry P-C and Bailly V. Radiotherapy and Oncology. 2025;203:110665.
Three-centre retrospective series (n = 56): no grade ≥3 toxicity reported, with a median follow-up of 19.5 months. Longer-term oncological assessment is needed.
Selected multicentre projects involving UROLIB investigators, spanning focal therapy, imaging, health economics and patient outcomes.
Phase II multicentre evaluation of focal HIFU in intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer.
NCT03568188 ↗Phase III randomised comparison of focal HIFU and active surveillance in selected low-risk prostate cancer.
NCT03531099 ↗Performance of prostate MRI and targeted biopsies for detecting residual cancer after focal therapy.
AP–HP sponsor ↗Randomised medico-economic comparison of focal HIFU and radical prostatectomy in intermediate-risk disease.
NCT05710861 ↗Multicentre comparison of radical prostatectomy techniques.
NCT04638088 ↗EDAP-TMS multicentre registry documenting outcomes following Focal One HIFU treatment.
Registry listing ↗Early-phase evaluation of high-intensity focused ultrasound for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
NCT06601179 ↗Prospective comparison of early complications after outpatient versus inpatient radical prostatectomy.
ELSAN-sponsored studyComparison of patient-reported quality of life after focal HIFU and radical prostatectomy.
NCT06945172 ↗Study descriptions summarise the local investigator portfolio. Recruitment and follow-up status vary by site; consult the linked registries for public protocol information. Participation does not imply sponsorship by Focal Precision.
FOCAL PRECISION highlights clinical and scientific work by urologists from UROLIB, based in Besançon, France, with contributions from partner institutions and investigators.
Our interests include patient selection, treatment-volume planning, longitudinal biomarkers, quality of life, digital perioperative care and management of recurrence after HIFU.
This website is intended for scientific exchange and does not provide individual medical advice.