Prostate cancer is currently the first or second most common form of cancer among men in many populations.

In the United States, the American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 220,900 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2003, and the Company believes, based on figures provided by the World Health Organization, that the worldwide incidence of localized prostate cancer is approximately twice this U.S. figure.

A more effective diagnostic method for prostate cancer, the "PSA test", has been growing public awareness of the disease in developed countries since its introduction. The PSA test measures the blood level of a protein, the prostatic-specific antigen ("PSA"), which is produced only by the prostate. PSA levels jump sharply when cancer is present.

Prostate cancer is an age-related disease, and its incidence in developed countries is expected to increase as the population ages.

If the efficacy of HIFU therapy is established, the Company believes that its application could be expanded to other indications, such as certain localized thyroid, breast, gynecological, bladder, liver, brain, pancreatic and retroperitoneal tumors.

More information about the Company's HIFU division, click here