High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a new form of technology that offers a targeted, noninvasive treatment for prostate cancer. Using ultrasound energy, or sound waves, HIFU can attack and destroy precise areas of malignant tissue within the prostate. These sound waves pass harmlessly through healthy tissue. When the sound waves reach the exact targeted focal point, they heat up intensely. The temperature increases to up to 90 degrees Celsius on the selected tissue, effectively killing the diseased cells.

HIFU offers a number of advantages over traditional prostate cancer therapies. HIFU is an outpatient procedure requiring local or spinal anesthesia instead of general anesthesia. It is considerably shorter in duration than traditional surgery, generally lasting from one to four hours depending on the size of the prostate. There is little recovery time associated with HIFU and patients typically can resume their normal activities within a few days of the procedure.

Sonablate HIFU

The Sonablate 500, developed by Focus Surgery, Inc., is a top-of-the-line device that our practice uses for HIFU procedures. It has been proven successful for treating both prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

State-of-the-Art Technology

The Sonablate 500 features a dynamic imaging system coupled with cutting-edge software to provide high resolution 3D images of the entire prostate gland from different angles. Using these images, your physician can create a customized plan to determine exactly where the HIFU needs to be concentrated. The software breaks the gland down into multiple zones to establish the safest possible user-directed, computer-controlled form of treatment.

HIFU therapy causes no scarring or blood loss as traditional surgery can. Unlike radiation, it doesn’t have a cumulative effect, enabling repetition of HIFU treatment when necessary without risk of damaging the healthy prostate tissue. HIFU can also be used as a treatment method when other forms of therapy have failed to cure the cancer.

The Sonablate 500 is the only truly non-invasive treatment that does not necessitate a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) prior to the procedure to attain successful results.

Who is a Candidate for HIFU?

Sonablate HIFU is a most effective therapy for men who have early stage, localized prostate cancer that has not metastasized, or spread, beyond the prostate. However, as every case is unique, it is recommended that you discuss your individual diagnosis and medical history with your physician in order to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for HIFU.

Recurrent Prostate Cancer

There is a segment of patients who have undergone radiation therapy, brachytherapy or external beam radiation, then experience a rise in PSA. They may get the bad news that the cancer has returned. These patients are often good candidates for HIFU if their cancer has not spread to the bone or other organs. Men who are faced with a local recurrence after receiving a radical prostatectomy may also qualify for HIFU.

Benefits of HIFU:

HIFU destroys cancerous tissue only, leaving healthy tissue unharmed.
HIFU does not expose patients to any radiation.
Local anesthesia is used instead of general anesthesia.
.There is no hospital stay and little downtime post-procedure
HIFU is safe to repeat as well as to treat recurrent cases of cancer.
A non-invasive treatment method, HIFU typically takes under four hours.

Focus Surgery’s Sonablate 500

The Sonablate combines high definition imaging with HIFU therapy to treat prostate cancer precisely. Integrated 3D volume ultrasound imaging provides unprecedented display, review, modification and interaction with the therapy plan and prostate images to define a thorough and safe treatment.