Now patients of the International Robotic Institute for Prostate Cancer have another treatment option to treat prostate cancer if they are not ready for surgery. HIFU is minimally invasive procedure where a patient can go home the very same day. The treatment is considered a focal therapy. HIFU spares surrounding tissue and reduces the risk of being incontinent and having erectile dysfunction.
What Is HIFU?
HIFU which is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is a focal therapy procedure that specifically targets cancerous tissue with precision through high frequency sound waves. An ultrasound probe is gently inserted into the rectal passage and the ultrasound waves heat up and ablate the tissue, killing only the cancer cells.
International Robotic Institute for Prostate Cancer uses the latest HIFU technology, in which very high resolution images are fused with biopsy imaging and real-time ultrasound. This allows the surgeon to have a 3D view of the cancerous tissue. With this advanced view, the surgeon can precisely identify the diseased tissue area, and perform a targeted ablation of the prostate. This is known as focal therapy, which will minimize the damage to surrounding structures, which includes important nerve bundles, vasculature and tissue. For the patient, the risk of developing urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction is reduced.
The focal therapy procedure still leaves the option of robotic radical prostatectomy should the cancer return. Dr. Razdan is also considered the leader in performing Salvage Robotic Prostatectomy.
HIFU is an alternative for prostate cancer patients
When a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer that is contained within the walls of the prostate, the gold standard is to have the prostate cancer removed by an experienced prostate cancer surgeon . Patients may choose to wait or be under active surveillance. Many times, prostate cancer grows at a slow pace and is nonaggressive. Despite the slow progression of prostate cancer, certain patients may still be uncomfortable with a diagnosis of cancer and prefer to have treatment immediately. While complete surgical removal of the prostate, or radical prostatectomy is considered the best option for most men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, the HIFU procedure can be another alternative. HIFU is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that requires no incision. Under the care of an experienced Urologist, the procedure is very precise and can be effective, however, if the cancer recurs you have not burned any bridges and may still be a candidate for a salvage robotic radical prostatectomy.
Who can qualify for the HIFU procedure?
The best candidates for the HIFU procedure are men who have been diagnosed with early stage low-grade and low volume cancer that is confined within the walls of the prostate, and that is visible on an MRI or ultrasound imaging. A PSA level below 20ng/mL is usually preferred. HIFU is used to treat a single lesion or can be used to treat part of a large lesion. HIFU is not meant for men whose prostate cancer has spread beyond the walls of the prostate or patients with large multifocal lesions. If you are interested in having the HIFU procedure, please contact International Robotic Institute for Prostate Cancer at 305-251-8650.