About Prostate Cancer

High intensity focused ultrasound, also known as HIFU for short, is an updated technology to assist men diagnosed with prostate cancer. It provides an acoustic ablation technique that utilizes the power of ultrasound waves to get rid of cancerous tissue on and around the prostate with fine accuracy. The targeted area is focused on using sound waves, allowing HIFU to increase the temperature of the tissue, causing it to completely break down.

Because of HIFU’s control and precision, the overall risk of negative side effects connected with other prostate cancer treatments are greatly reduced, including erectile dysfunction and incontinence. Men only have to set aside up to three hours for the HIFU process and it is listed as an out-patient procedure. The HIFU process is often done in one sitting and minimal spinal or epidural anesthesia is used just to limit discomfort of the rectal probe. There is no actual radiation associated with HIFU – it is non-ionizing, which means that this treatment can be used more than one without damaging healthy tissue. Because it can be used when necessary, many physicians look at HIFU as an alternative method if other prostate cancer treatment options do not work.

Sonablate 500 is the most popular HIFU system used in the treatment of prostate cancer. This device is controlled by a computer and it delivers HIFU energy at the prostate through a rectal probe that removes all the cancer-infected tissue in the region. The technology found in the Sonablate 500 uses integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging which provides planning and monitoring in real-time as well as images of the location of the prostate both before as well as after the treatment.

The action of the HIFU is comparable to the action of focusing sunlight through a magnifying lens. HIFU provides precise focusing of ultrasound energy during the therapy session which increases the core temperature of the tissue that is located in the focal zone. This is done at a quick pace and all intervening tissue located around the focal zone remain safe and do not undergo an increase in temperature. In the end, there is a precise lesion within the target area that can be easily monitored by the cancer physician. Before undergoing HIFU therapy, a plan is created to determine all the areas that harbor cancerous tissue. Many physicians like the HIFU system because its high imaging resolution allows physicians to easily identify all vital structures, including neurovascular bundles, rectal wall, and seminal vesicles, and guarantee that only the affected areas will be targeted without causing unnecessary damage.

Prior to the HIFU therapy, patients are required to undergo two enemas two hours prior to the procedure. Because the patients need to remain still all through the duration of the treatment, a light anesthetic is given. A small rectal probe is inserted into the patient that emits ultrasound waves that bounce off the tissue. During the procedure, real-time images are provided by the Sonablate 500 of all the areas in and around the prostate. This offers the physician with immediate, detailed feedback. When the procedure is done, individuals often need roughly two hours to fully recover from the anesthesia before being sent home. After a few days, they can go back to their regular life.

Central Maryland Urology Associates is a state-of-the-art urology practice, comprised of 8 urologists located in Columbia, Maryland, half-way between Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland. CMUA is the only urology practice exclusively serving Howard County for over 30 years.The CMUA mission is to provide the highest quality of urologic care for our entire community through innovation, service excellence, compassion, and patient safety.

HIFU, short for high intensity focused ultrasound, as a new, updated technology offering an acoustic ablation technique utilizing the unique power of an ultrasound to eliminate prostate cancer tissue using pinpoint accuracy. Through focused sound waves toward a targeted area, HIFU rapidly elevated the temperature in that area causing the complete breakdown of tissue.

Due to the precision and control of HIFU, the risk of common side effects associated with other prostate cancer treatments is reduced. These risks include incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The HIFU process often takes around two to three hours and can be done in one procedure. It is often considered an out-patient procedure that uses epidural or spinal anesthesia. HIFU is marked off as non-ionizing, there is no radiation meaning that the HIFU treatment can be utilized a number of times if necessary and there will be no damage done to healthy tissue. Because of this, in some cases, HIFU is used as an alternative technique if various other treatments for prostate cancer fail to work.

Possibly the most well known HIFU system to treat prostate cancer is the Sonablate 500. The Sonablate 500 is a device that is computer controlled and designed to transrectally deliver HIFU energy directed toward the prostate to remove all diseased tissue in the area. The Sonablate 500 technology utilizes what is known as integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging to provide real-time planning, monitoring, and before and after therapy imaging of the area where the prostate is located.

HIFU works similarly to what occurs when an individual focuses sunlight through the magnifying lens. The precise focusing of this ultrasound energy throughout the duration of an HIFU therapy session increases the temperature of tissue located within the focal zone at a very rapid pace, while enabling it so that the intervening tissue located between the focal zone and transducer remain safe with no increase in temperature. The final result is a precise lesion located at the target area and monitored by the physician. All zones that are affected with the cancerous tissue or checked by the physician and a plan is created prior to commencing HIFU therapy. The technology’s imaging capabilities allows for easy identification of all vital structures, including the rectal wall, seminal vesicles and neurovascular bundles, to ensure that only affected areas are targeted and no unnecessary damage is caused.

When undergoing HIFU, patients need to take two enemas approximately two hours before the commencement of the procedure. Because the patient cannot move during the procedure, a light sedation is given intravenously. During the HIFU treatment, the physician inserts a small probe into the rectum. The probe emits ultrasound waves sent to the tissue. Throughout the course of the procedure, the Sonablate 500 provides real-time images of the entire area, like the prostate and surrounding tissue, providing detailed, immediate feedback. When the treatment is over, patients often need about one or two hours to recover and then are discharged. There is minimal recovery and men find they can return to their daily life within a few days.

At Palm Beach Urology Associates, we offer more than just state-of-the-art urology treatments — we offer world class medical services by specialists who care. Our practice services a wide number of patients who come from all over South Florida and abroad seeking state of the art care in urology with a personal touch.