High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer

Non-Invasive Prostate Cancer Treatment

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology ablates prostate tissue by focusing high-intensity ultrasound waves on the affected area, causing localized heating that destroys the cells in the gland without damaging the healthy surrounding tissue.

Focused ultrasound works in the same way as rays of sunlight that pass through a magnifying glass and are concentrated at a single point, equally causing a significant temperature to rise around the focal point.

Advantages of HIFU Treatments

HIFU is the ideal treatment tool to ablate just the diseased part of the prostate for the optimal preservation of quality of life. HIFU is the latest treatment option using focal therapy to treat prostate cancer. The real-time imaging allows for precise local ablation in one session under general anesthesia, repeatable, if necessary, with a low risk of side effects.

• Non-invasive Procedure with no blade, no scar, no radiation, or incision
• Low Risk of Side Effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction
• Quality of Life Preservation with minimal time away from work and leisure activities

How the Treatment Works

The whole prostate is scanned by the transrectal ultrasound imaging probe and displayed on the Focal One screen as a three-dimensional reconstruction of the area to be ablated.

On the screen, the urologist plans each step of the procedure, precisely targeting the area to be ablated.

Finally, the system automatically determines the optimal number of lesions based on the planning and produces high-intensity focused ultrasound waves to destroy the targeted cells.

What Happens After Your HIFU Procedure?

At the end of the procedure, a temporary urinary catheter will be placed in order to limit the risk of urinary retention due to the temporary swelling. You will be discharged and can return home rapidly after the end of the procedure. The catheter will be removed at the first follow-up visit just a few days later.

Typical follow-up will include PSA testing at three months, six months, and one year, as well as an MRI image and potentially follow-up biopsies at one year to evaluate the result. This follow-up can be performed by the treating urologist, or if you traveled from a remote location, your local urologist.