High Intensity Focused Ultrasound

Cutting Edge of Advanced Technology for the Prostate Cancer and BPH therapy

At South Florida Urology Center, Inc we are actively involved in pursuing the most advance technology to treat our patients. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

The advantage of the HIFU procedure for prostate cancer therapy, is that it can cure the disease without having the side effects of bladder control problems or erectile dysfunction that are common with surgical and other procedures. HIFU is a non-invasive, precise and targeted procedure that reduces some of the risk of complications caused by traditional prostate cancer therapy involving surgery and radiation.

HIFU is being used throughout the world as a therapeutic procedure for prostate cancer and benign prostate growth (BPH). The technology is not new to the United States as it originated at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the 1970s and is now going through the rigorous US approval process.

HIFU is not yet approved for use in the United States by the FDA, so it is technically considered as an investigational treatment. However, it available throughout the world including Japan, Europe, Central America, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and South Africa to name a few.

HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (HIFU)

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU, is a therapy 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, an tissue outside of the focal point remains unharmed. The sound waves pass through healthy tissue without causing damage.

The Sonablate® 500, a medical device, used as a therapeutic procedure for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and benign prostate growth (BPH). HIFU is a non-invasive prostate cancer procedure that does not require a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

Is HIFU radiation free?
Yes, HIFU is completely radiation free. Unlike radiation, ultrasound energy is non-ionizing meaning it will not harm any tissue outside of the target area.

How long does HIFU take and what is the recovery?
The procedure takes 1-4 hours depending on the size of the prostate, and recovery time is 1-2 hours. After recovery, the patient is discharged.

Does HIFU procedure require hospitalization?
No, Sonablate® 500 HIFU is an outpatient procedure and does not normally require hospitalization.

What should I expect after I have HIFU?
During the first one to two weeks after the procedure, a patient may experience very mild urinary symptoms such as frequency and/or urgency to void. In the first one to two months, a patient may pass an occasional small amount of blood or mucus-like materials in the urine stream which is normal. A urinary catheter is inserted after the procedure and must be kept in place for 3-4 weeks.