HIFU is High Intensity Focused Ultrasound.
By precision-focusing ultrasound energy into the prostate, it is possible to heat small areas of the prostate to 90 – 100oC and destroy the entire prostate gland.
HIFU is a relatively new treatment for prostate cancer and represents what may be the next generation of non-invasive therapy for prostate cancer. The Advanced Sonablate 500 permits pinpoint control and accuracy so that the entire prostate can be destroyed within its shell, leaving the erectile and bladder control nerves intact. As such, potency and bladder control are preserved.
By precision-focusing ultrasound waves into the prostate to a small area the size of a rice grain, the resulting temperature increase causes destruction of prostate tissue. By overlapping these HIFU lesions, the entire prostate volume is treated using real-time ultrasound imaging. With careful targeting , one can avoid the urinary sphincter, rectum and erectile nerves .
HIFU is a safe, precise and clean energy that has no cumulative effect like radiation or scarring and blood loss like surgery. HIFU also offers an option for re-treatment – or even treatment after another prostate therapy has failed to cure the cancer. HIFU can be performed safely after external beam radiation or brachytherapy.
