Through the evolution of modern medicine, medical physicians have now come up with a new prostate cancer treatment known in many circles as HIFU, which stands for high intensity focused ultrasound. This new technology assists men suffering from prostate cancer by getting rid of all cancer infected tissue in the prostate region using an advanced acoustic ablation method that utilizes the powers of an ultrasound. This technology locates the infected area with pinpoint accuracy. The infected area is targeted using sound waves allowing HIFU to elevate the tissue's temperature, making the tissue breakdown and consequently eliminating the cancer.
Numerous physicians are now recommending HIFU to their prostate cancer patients due to the limited number of harmful side effects associated with the procedure. HIFU offers patients a procedure that is controlled and precise, thereby limiting side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which are common with other treatments for prostate cancer. A prostate cancer patient only needs to devote up to three hours for this procedure and may leave mere hours after the procedure it done. They just have to wait for the anesthesia used to minimize discomfort to wear off. HIFU is non-ionizing and does not utilize radiation. Therefore, HIFU treatment can be used on a number of occasions without damaging healthy tissue. Due to this, physicians use HIFU when they do not see successful results using other prostate cancer treatments.
The Sonablate 500 is possibly the most well known HIFU therapy option utilized for the treatment of prostate cancer. It is currently used in a number of hospitals and clinics around the world. It is controlled through a computer and delivers the HIFU energy directed right at the infected area via a small rectal probe. Through this action, all tissue infected by cancer is eliminated. Through the use of integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging, relating planning and monitoring is offered throughout the duration of the treatment, as well as images both before and after of the entire infected region.
To understand how the HIFU system works, think about what happens when the sun's rays are focused through a magnifying lens. HIFU offers the same type of precision focusing through the use of ultrasound energy. By focusing this ultrasound energy on the infected area, the temperature of that area is raised, killing the tissue. At the same time, unaffected areas remain unharmed and their temperature remains unchanged. Once the procedure is complete, the physician has the ability to monitor the location of the precise lesion. The HIFU system also helps the physician determine a course of action to treat and locate the infected areas. The high imaging resolution is just one of the many reasons why many physicians utilize HIFU and the Sonablate 500 in particular. It provides the opportunity to identify all vital structures located around the prostate, including the neurovascular bundles, seminal vesicles, and rectal wall, ensuring only the targets areas are treated, preventing unnecessary damage.
The requirement of the patient before the treatment can begin is to undergo two enemas before the treatment can commence. Patients also undergo light anesthesia to ensure the patient remains still during the procedure as even small movements can cause damage. The rectal probe uses ultrasound waves to also provide-time images to the physician of the complete area, offering immediate and detailed feedback. Once the procedure is complete, patients only need a few hours to recover and in just a few days, patients are able to go back to their life.
Richard R. Lotenfoe, MD, is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Board Certified Urological Surgeon in Orlando, Florida. He specializes in the treatment of prostate cancer using the HIFU procedure.The HIFU Treatment uses ultrasound to destroy prostate cancer cells.
Dr. Richard R. Lotenfoe is the Founder of Orlando-based Urology Health Solutions Inc., and CEO of Innovative Technologies, LLC. Since establishing his Orlando practice in 1999, he has been firmly committed to embracing minimally invasive technology and perfecting the latest urological surgical techniques. Since 1994 he has been one of a select group of Urological Surgeons in the United States skilled enough to offer the latest surgical procedures to his patients, which improve surgical outcomes, while minimizing pain and discomfort associated with traditional surgeries.
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