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The Impact of a Digital Health Pathway on Complications Following HIFU Treatment in Prostate Cancer Patients—A Pre- and Postintervention Study
by
, , ,
Olga Katzendorn
1,*
,
Alessandro Uleri
1,
Michael Baboudjian
2
,
Jean-Baptiste Beauval
1,
Harry Toledano
2,3,
Vincent Bailly
4,
Guillaume Ploussard
1 and
Christophe Tollon
1 1
Department of Urology, La Croix du Sud Hospital, 31130 Quint-Fonsegrives, France
2
Department of Urology, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, 13015 Marseille, France
3
Department of Urology, Martigues Hospital, 13698 Martigues, France
4
Department of Urology, Saint Vincent Clinic, 25000 Besançon, France
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Cancers 2025, 17(21), 3484; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17213484
Submission received: 8 September 2025
/
Revised: 15 October 2025
/
Accepted: 28 October 2025
/
Published: 29 October 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer)
Simple Summary
The use of digital health systems may enhance patient outcomes and its benefits has been demonstrated recently in prostate cancer patients undergoing surgery Focal therapy, such as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment, of prostate cancer emerged as alternative to surgery in low and intermediate risk prostate cancer. This study analyzed the impact of a digital application on complications and unplanned contacts with the medical team after focal treatment of prostate cancer. We found a decrease in infectious complications as well as unplanned visits after the use of the application. Hence, the implementation of these programs might be beneficial in focal therapy of prostate cancer.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Digital health pathways, including prehabilitation programs, may help reduce complications after urologic procedures. This study assesses the impact of a digital health intervention on infectious complications, urinary retention, and unplanned patient contacts after high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer. Methods: A pre-/post-intervention study design was applied. The intervention consisted of implementing a mobile health pathway via a mobile application integrated into the perioperative management of patients undergoing HIFU treatment for prostate cancer. Urinary complication rates and unplanned patient contacts with the surgical team before and after implementation were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: 58 patients were included in the analysis. Demographic, tumor, and treatment characteristics were comparable between both groups. The post-intervention group showed a lower incidence of symptomatic urinary infections (3 vs. 10; p = 0.019) and fewer unplanned visits (4 vs. 10; p = 0.047) after the implementation of the mobile application. No significant differences in rates of acute urinary retention and unplanned communication with the surgical team were observed. Conclusions: Integration of a digital health pathway was associated with reduced infectious complications and fewer unplanned visits after HIFU treatment. Incorporating such tools into perioperative management may improve patient outcomes.
Keywords:
focal therapy; HIFU; urinary tract infections; eHealth; digital health
