One of the most prominent prostate cancer treatments available is high intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU. This updated technology helps men by removing cancerous tissue on the prostate and around it via an advanced acoustic ablation technique using ultrasound wave powers. The area where the cancer is forming is targeted via sound waves enabling HIFU to raise the tissue's temperature, causing the tissue to break down, thus eliminating the cancer.
Many physicians recommend HIFU because of the limited harmful side effects if presents. Because of the precision and control associated with HIFU, other side effects common to other prostate cancer treatments, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are greatly reduced. The whole HIFU procedure often takes only three hours and a few hours after the procedure is over, men are able to go home. Minimal anesthesia is utilized during the HIFU process to lower the level of discomfort men may feel with the rectal probe. HIFU does not use radiation and is considered non-ionizing. This simple means that the HIFU treatment may be utilized on more than one occasion if necessary without causing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Because of this fact, many cancer physicians utilize HIFU if they find little success with other treatment options for prostate cancer.
For prostate cancer treatment, many physicians look toward the Sonablate 500, a very well known HIFU system utilized in many hospitals and clinics. Controlled via a computer, the Sonablate 500 delivers HIFU energy toward the prostate using a rectal probe. This action is set to eliminate all tissue in the area that has been affected by cancer. The Sonablate 500 utilizes integrated biplanar ultrasound imaging, offering real-time monitoring and planning of the treatment, as well as before and after images of the prostate and the infected area.
The HIFU system can be compared to the concept of focusing the rays of the sun through any magnifying lens. Precise focusing of the ultrasound energy is provided by HIFU. This focusing of the ultrasound energy increases the affected tissue's temperature in the targeted area. This is done very rapidly while all unaffected tissue in the area remains safe and does not increase in temperature. The physician, when the procedure is over, is able to monitor the precise lesion located in the target area. However, before this can occur, first the physician creates a plan to locate all the infected tissue areas. Numerous physicians prescribe to HIFU because it offers high imaging resolution. This enables physicians to efficiently identify the vital structures in the area, including the recta wall, neurovascular bundles, and seminal vesicles. This guarantees that only cancer-affected areas are targeted and no unnecessary damage occurs.
Before the HIFU therapy can occur, patients must have two enemas prior to the treatment, often two hours. Light anesthesia is administered to ensure that the patient remains completely still throughout the procedure as a very small rectal probe is used. This probe emits a number of ultrasound waves that will bounce off tissue. Physicians are provided with real-time images of the entire area, providing them with detailed and immediate feedback. At the end of the procedure, only two hours of recovery time are needed to let the anesthesia wear off. In only a few days time, patients may return to their life.
Dr. Anshu Guleria and his staff at the Virginia Prostate Cancer Center have considerable experience in minimally invasive treatments for prostate cancer. They will take the time to sit down with you to see if HIFU is the right prostate cancer treatment for you. When HIFU became available in North America, Dr. Guleria studied the reports of its use in Europe and decided that HIFU is going to be the next evolution in localized prostate cancer therapy. Dr. Guleria is the most experienced doctor practicing HIFU for Prostate Cancer in Virginia and he looks forward to helping you decide what is the best prostate cancer treatment option for you. For more information, please go to http://www.virginiaprostatecancer.com/
