MENUFocal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Just as we are understanding the individual cancer cells and pathways, we are also incorporating more individualized treatment options for prostate cancer. Newer options that potentially offer minimal side effects is referred to as focal therapy. We are able to be more accurate in determining the tumor location through a more precise prostate biopsy with the use of MRI allowing us to treat smaller areas of the prostate.
Focal therapy or partial gland ablation treats only the area of prostate affected by cancer while leaving any normal prostate alone.
The goal is to minimize the side effects of radical options, such as prostatectomy and/or radiation, which include bowel/urinary symptoms, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
The move towards focal therapy represents the application of increased knowledge of prostate cancer biology combined with technological advances that have become available in the last decade.
One such focal therapy for prostate cancer is high-intensity focused ultrasound or HIFU.
What is HIFU?
High-Intensity focused Ultrasound is the precise delivery of ultrasound waves to cause destruction of tissue. HIFU for prostate cancer can be used to target specific areas that are found to be positive on biopsy and MRI of the prostate, or used as a minimally invasive treatment to ablate the entire prostate gland. Although the technology has been around in other countries since the early 1990’s for ablation of the prostate, it has only recently been approved by the FDA in the U.S. for prostate ablation.
Am I Candidate for HIFU?
If you have prostate cancer that is confined to the prostate gland, then you might be a candidate for HIFU treatments. There are many factors that need to be considered in determining if you are a candidate for HIFU. To be evaluated, please call 800-865-1125.