What is HIFU?
HIFU is an acronym for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, which is a state-of-the-art treatment option for prostate cancer patients. It uses ultrasound technology to achieve ablation of the prostate tissue, which destroys the prostate cancer. HIFU is able to deliver the sound waves with astonishing accuracy to the specific area being targeted for treatment. This area, called the focal zone, is heated rapidly, thus destroying the tissue.
Because HIFU offers doctors both control and precision, there is much less risk of side effects from other prostate cancer treatments, such as incontinence and impotence. This short outpatient procedure takes between two and three hours and only has to be given one time, usually while the patient is under spinal anesthesia. HIFU is non-ionizing, so if necessary it can be repeated without damaging the surrounding areas. This allows HIFU to be used when other prostate cancer treatments fail.
|
