HWN Suggests

HIFU - Good or bad

Is it even worth considering HIFU as a treatment for localised prostate cancer? I like the sound of it being less invasive and sparing of the ED and incontinence side effects of the recognised main treatment options. However, the long term effectiveness post 5 years is a little sketchy; and a reasonably high percentage of those who undergo this treatment need re-HIFU treatment in under 5 years. Also, can surgery and RT be used as salvage treatments after HIFU? And, no one seems to be promoting HIFU as a treatment other than those who are providing such treatments. So is HIFU a realistic treatment for localised prostate cancer?

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Articles of Interest

Can sound waves destroy prostate cancer?

Sexual dysfunction, urinary problems and mobility issues are common worries after a prostate cancer diagnosis. However, a novel procedure called high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) can help provide some peace of mind. HIFU uses ultrasound to deliver high frequency sound waves to the cancerous area of the prostate to destroy the cancer. The procedure is done under anesthesia. The main goal of HIFU is to preserve the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer and minimize side effects.

HIFU for Localized Prostate Cancer: What Every Man Should Know

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive, radiation-free technique that uses heat to destroy the area of the prostate gland affected with cancer, by means of a probe that emits a beam of high-intensity focused ultrasound. It can heat small amounts of tissue to within a few millimetres of accuracy, destroying tissue only in this area.

HIFU for Prostate Cancer Treatment Pros and Cons

According to Cancer Research UK, the HIFU treatment option for prostate cancer is only effective when there is a single tumor or part of a large tumor that are discovered during the diagnostic process. It cannot be used for guys who have tumors that have begun to spread from this area. You can only receive a referral if the cancer remains localized to the prostate.

HIFU Physician Spotlight: Dr. Jerry Greenberg

HIFU when offered to the well selected patient offers a middle of the road approach between radical whole gland treatment and active surveillance – a bridge so to speak and a reasonable way to effectively and safely treat prostate cancer without in so many words burning that bridge to further therapy if needed and additionally it allows an option that typically avoids overtreatment, overtreatment that can permanently and negatively impact a man’s quality of life.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Can Control Some Prostate Cancers With Fewer Side Effects

The MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an outpatient treatment that takes about two hours. Patients under anesthesia are placed in an MRI machine that covers the lower half of the body. After the machine takes an image of the prostate, the doctors outline the treatment area and deliver the focused ultrasound waves, guided by the MRI. The ultrasound waves come from different directions, intersecting to attack and kill the cancer by heating the cells to more than 158 °F (70 °C).

What are some of the advantages of HIFU?

The advantages that HIFU has seem to be to a large part from the patient perspective. In urology, over the past few decades, we've developed a number of treatments that are very effective at treating and even curing prostate cancer, but those treatments have some significant long-term [adverse events]. As time has gone on and patients have increased in sophistication, patients in general are asking for treatments that don't have long-term negative impacts on their urinary function and their sexual function. So, I think the advantage of HIFU from the patient perspective is that it's a treatment that can be performed with minimal effect on potency and minimal effect on urinary function.