Groundbreaking New Procedure Removes Prostate Cancer with Zero Incisions
Prostate cancer is among the most common types of cancer in men, second only to skin cancer, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death in men.
Thanks to a new innovative and minimally invasive procedure called High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), certain types of prostate cancer can be treated very quickly without major impact to the prostate and a very quick recovery time.
In fact, this new procedure can remove cancer tissue from the prostate without making an incision.
What is Prostate Cancer?
It's estimated that one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Symptoms include urinary difficulties, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the hips, pelvis, spine or upper legs and pain or discomfort while urinating.
Diagnosis of prostate cancer is done through routine screening, which men should begin at the age of 50 at the latest depending on their risk factors.
Depending on the type of cancer and whether it has spread, there are various treatments including surgery, radiation and now HIFU.
How Does HIFU Work?
According to Marco Salazar, MD, PhD, with EvergreenHealth Urology & Urogynecology Care, HIFU is best for men with prostate cancer that is not extensive, which means the cancer is not impacting multiple parts of the prostate.
The procedure itself is done under anesthesia and uses a special ultrasound probe that allows visualization of the entire prostate so that the area where treatment is needed is localized.
Your physician then inputs settings into the machine and treatment is administered.
"There are no cuts involved in this procedure. There is no radiation involved in this procedure," Dr. Salazar said on the Check-Up Chat with EvergreenHealth podcast. "This is completely done by ultrasound, and the area of the prostate is treated by heat."
Dr. Salazar compares the HIFU process to using a magnifying glass to focus the energy of the sun onto a focal point, and in this case, using that energy over the course of one to two hours to destroy cancer.
Using the ultrasound probe to guide the focused energy, your urologist can make sure there are no other structured being damaged.
Recovery from HIFU involves a seven-day period in which you have to wear a catheter due to potential swelling of the prostate, which can make it difficult to urinate. After this short recovery period, you will be able to resume most activities, including exercise and return to work.
