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HIFU Treatment for Prostate Cancer

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in every six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. This makes prostate cancer the most common cancer in men outside of skin cancer. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) offers men with this condition a non-invasive alternative to traditional treatments that minimizes the risk of side effects.

  1. What Is HIFU

    • HIFU is a minimally invasive treatment for localized prostate cancer being used successfully around the globe in research centers and clinics. The treatment involves destroying the prostate gland using the power of high intensity ultrasound waves.

      During HIFU treatment, ultrasound waves are sent into the prostate gland where they intersect at specific points within the prostate gland, called focal points. At the focal point, the temperature increases significantly in just a few seconds. This increase in temperature destroys the prostate tissue and also any cancerous cells it contains.

      The transducer that delivers HIFU treatment to the prostate gland also captures images of the gland. Depending on the treatment device used, these images may be used to tailor the treatment to each patient's unique physiology.

      Prostate cancer treatment using HIFU typically takes under four hours. It begins with localized anesthetic. The transducer is inserted into the rectum to capture initial images of the gland. Once the focal zones have been selected, treatment begins. The physician will stop when the entire prostate gland has been destroyed. Recovery is minimal, but patients will wear a catheter for up to three weeks.

    Benefits of HIFU

    • HIFU carries many benefits over traditional prostate cancer treatments. First, the procedure requires no surgery, so blood loss is minimal. Also, the process requires no radiation and is non-ionizing. This means it can be repeated or used as a salvage treatment when other therapies have not been successful. The procedure requires no lengthy hospital stay or recovery, can be performed on an outpatient basis and does not require general anesthetic.

      The ultrasound waves pass harmlessly through the tissue surrounding the prostate gland. According to International HIFU, an organization spearheading much of the research into this treatment, this fact lowers the risk of common prostate cancer treatment side effects, such as impotence and incontinence.

    Where to Get HIFU

    • As of 2009, HIFU has not yet been approved for use as a prostate cancer treatment option in the United States, outside of clinical trials. To receive HIFU treatment for prostate cancer, talk to a urologist who supports the treatment. Some patients may qualify to participate in clinical trials being held in their areas.

      If you do not qualify for clinical trials or cannot find one to apply for, you can have HIFU done at an international treatment facility. Many American physicians, such as Dr. Stephen Scionti at NYU Langone Medical Center, travel periodically to non-U.S. treatment facilities to perform HIFU treatment. Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas all have HIFU treatment centers that accept American patients.

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