HIFU treatment for prostate cancer is a minimally invasive, localized treatment for prostate cancer using high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). HIFU is a very precise treatment for prostate cancer that kills the cancer cells but does not affect healthy tissue. It is also known as focal therapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound or HIFU treatment.
HIFU for prostate cancer is a minimally invasive, highly effective treatment with few side effects and precise accuracy. It is a desirable choice for those with localized prostate cancer, instead of more drastic approaches such as robotic prostatectomy or hormone/radiation therapy.
HIFU Treatment
The use of high-energy sound waves, Ultrasound waves, means that HIFU focal treatment focuses the heat on a specific area of the prostate with great accuracy making it a less invasive, yet effective option for treating localized tumors within the prostate. Real time imaging during treatment allows doctors to pinpoint where to deposit the high-intensity ultrasound energy with extreme accuracy and precision, making it possible to preserve healthy prostate tissue while destroying cancer cells.
HIFU treatments are administered by specially trained physicians who specialize in focal therapy for localized prostate cancer, meaning that patients can rest assured they are receiving the best care available. Patients should not hesitate to ask questions or raise any concerns about the procedure during their consultation appointment.
Focal HIFU treatment has been studied in both clinical and laboratory settings, and research conducted over the last 25 years. These studies and clinical trials have shown that high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is effective at eliminating cancer cells while preserving healthy tissues. Extensive clinical trials have been conducted with the UK playing a leading role. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been shown in clinical trials led by UK University hospitals to be very effective at treating prostate cancer. At 8 years after treatment prostate cancer control is equivalent to radical robotic prostatectomy but with minimal side effects from treatment.
The HIFU Procedure
The HIFU procedure is done on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient does not have to stay overnight in the hospital. The patient is under a general anesthetic for between 2 and 3 hours but will be able to walk out the hospital within 90 minutes of the end of the procedure. The total recovery period for high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment is less than 7 days, much shorter than that of a radical prostatectomy or other more invasive treatments.
Benefits of HIFU Treatment for Prostate Cancer
HIFU treatment for localized prostate cancer has several advantages compared to traditional treatment options.
- HIFU treatment offers high precision and accuracy due to real-time imaging technology that allows doctors to precisely target the affected area. Clinical Trials completed in 2021 show that HIFU treatment for prostate cancer provides excellent cancer outcomes at least equivalent to radical prostatectomy at 8 years.
- HIFU treatment is minimally invasive, which means less risk of complications and a much shorter recovery time when compared with more invasive treatments such as robotic prostatectomy or radiotherapy.
- HIFU treatment is not associated with the side effects normally associated with radical and traditional treatments for prostate cancer. Clinical trial data show that the risk of urinary incontinence is less than 1% and the risk of erectile dysfunction is less than 5%.
Cost of HIFU Treatment for Prostate Cancer
HIFU Treatment for Prostate Cancer is available in the private sector at a number of locations. The all inclusive cost for HIFU treatment for Prostate Cancer ranges from £14,000 to £18,000 depending upon the hospital chosen. In general the luxurious London Hospitals are relatively more expensive. At the Focal Therapy Clinic network the all inclusive cost of HIFU Treatment for Prostate Cancer is £14,000.