HIFU Non-Invasive Focal Therapy
Focal therapy is a new treatment modality for localized prostate cancer.
There are different types of energy that can be employed to achieve focal therapy including High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).
HIFU induces immediate and irreversible coagulative necrosis with sharply delineated boundaries making HIFU an attractive treatment option for focal therapy of localized prostate cancer.
HIFU has been widely used for whole gland ablation but through technology advancements, the treatment can now be accurately targeted to precise portions of the prostate gland. Unlike radiation, there is no lifetime dose limit, allowing HIFU to be repeated if necessary. HIFU is a minimally invasive therapy that can be performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
What is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU, is a TGA approved therapy now available in Australia that destroys tissue with rapid heat elevation, which essentially “cooks” the tissue.
Ultrasound energy, or sound waves, is focused at a specific location and at that “focal point,” the temperature raises to almost 90 degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds. Any tissue at the “focal point” is destroyed; however, any tissue outside of the focal point remains unharmed.
HIFU has produced oncological results that are broadly comparable to standard therapies and HIFU is the only non invasive prostate cancer therapy that does not use ionizing radiation11, which can be potentially harmful.
Advantages of HIFU:
No blood loss
Quick recovery
Non-surgical
Radiation-free
An outpatient procedure
11 Illing, R., Chapman, A. The clinical applications of high intensity focused ultrasound in the prostate. Int. J. Hyperthermia, March 2007; 23(2):183-191.
Takes only one to four hours, depending on prostate
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 four weeks
HIFU is Precise and Controlled
The Sonablate® obtains real-time ultrasound images of the prostate and surrounding areas. From these images, the doctor plans where the ultrasound energy will be delivered.
The Sonablate® software allows the surgeon to visually direct the treatment and precisely define the treatment zones in order to destroy selected targeted portions (focal therapy).
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 non-invasive HIFU device for prostate cancer that does not require a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), an invasive surgical procedure for moderate and large prostates, prior to treatment in order to achieve effective results. The Sonablate® is also the only visually directed HIFU device.
Primary Diagnosis
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.
HIFU for 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.