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High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
A Noninvasive Prostate Cancer Solution
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU, is a precise and targeted noninvasive therapy for localized prostate cancer. HIFU uses ultrasound energy, or sound waves, to heat and destroy specifically targeted areas of tissue. During HIFU, the sound waves pass through healthy tissue without causing damage. However, at the focal point of the sound waves (like a magnifying glass focusing the rays of the sun to burn a leaf), the tissue temperature rises to 90 degrees Celsius destroying the targeted tissue.
HIFU has distinct therapeutic advantages over traditional prostate cancer therapies.
- Takes only one to four hours (depending on prostate size)
- Performed as an out-patient procedure under a spinal (epidural) anesthesia
- Recovery time is minimal
- Patients are usually up and walking around within hours after the procedure and may return to a normal lifestyle within a couple of days
- A catheter is inserted during the procedure and usually worn for one to three weeks
Sonablate® HIFU
The Sonablate® 500 is a non-invasive medical device, developed by Focus Surgery, Inc., that uses HIFU to treat prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Precise and Controlled: The Sonablate® obtains real-time images of the prostate and surrounding areas. From these images, the doctor plans where the HIFU will be delivered. Sonablate® software allows the surgeon to customize six different zones in order to safely ablate the entire gland.
A Sonablate® HIFU procedure takes one to four hours depending on prostate size and is done under a spinal (epidural) anesthesia on an out-patient basis.
Unlike radiation, HIFU is non-ionizing so it can be repeated, if necessary, without damaging healthy tissue. This means that HIFU can also be used as a salvage technique if other prostate cancer treatments fail.
The Sonablate® is the only truly non-invasive HIFU therapy that does not require a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), an invasive surgical procedure, prior to HIFU in order to achieve effective results. USHIFU - Sonablate® HIFU
Who is a Candidate for HIFU with the Sonablate® 500?
Primary Diagnosis: Sonablate® HIFU is most effective for men who have early stage, localized prostate cancer that has not spread or metastasized outside the prostate. However, it is recommended that you discuss your individual medical records and history with a physician in order to confirm whether or not you are a candidate for HIFU.
Recurrent Prostate Cancer
Many patients who have had radiation therapy, brachytherapy or external beam radiation and experience a rise in PSA have discovered that the cancer is back. These patients may be candidates for HIFU as well, as long as the cancer has not spread to the bone or other organs. Additionally, patients who have a local recurrence after receiving a radical prostatectomy may qualify for HIFU.
Benefits of HIFU
- HIFU destroys cancerous tissue. During HIFU, patient is not exposed to any radiation.
- No hospital stay is required.
- HIFU is performed under local anesthesia.
- HIFU can be used to treat locally recurrent prostate cancer.
- It is repeatable, if necessary.
- Treatment is non surgical and only lasts 1-4 hours.
- After HIFU, if needed, patients may pursue other treatment options.
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