HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) for prostate cancer is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue with precision, sparing nearby healthy structures.
With over 20 years of clinical use, it has treated 50,000+ patients. We use state-of-the-art MRI software to precisely target cancerous tissues.
Want to know more? Get in touch to talk to an expert
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) for prostate cancer is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue with precision, sparing nearby healthy structures.
With over 20 years of clinical use, it has treated 50,000+ patients. We use state-of-the-art MRI software to precisely target cancerous tissues.
Want to know more? Get in touch to talk to an expert
Fast recovery
Outpatient procedure with quick recovery time (2-3 days)
Little to no side effects
Low risk of incontinence and impotence
Minimally invasive
No hormones, radiation or incisions
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) for prostate cancer is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue with precision, sparing nearby healthy structures.
With over 20 years of clinical use, it has treated 50,000+ patients. We use state-of-the-art MRI software to precisely target cancerous tissues.
Want to know more? Get in touch to talk to an expert
| SIDE EFFECT | RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY |
FOCAL THERAPY (HIFU, NanoKnife) |
|---|---|---|
| Erectile Function |
39% | 68% |
| Pad-free continence |
86% | 97% |
| SIDE EFFECT | RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY |
FOCAL THERAPY (HIFU, NanoKnife) |
|---|---|---|
| Erectile Function |
39% | 68% |
| Pad-free continence |
86% | 97% |
Is HIFU right for me?
HIFU is a highly effective, minimally-invasive treatment for men with localised, medium-to-large-volume prostate cancer in the lower part of the prostate — guided by 3D imaging software to ensure only the highest levels of precision and accuracy.
HIFU could be right for you if your prostate cancer is:
-
Early or intermediate stage
-
In the lower part of the prostate
-
Localised
-
Gleason score of 7 or lower
It could also be the right choice if you are on the NHS Active Surveillance protocol, and if you are keen to avoid long-time side effects from prostate cancer treatment.
Side effects
All prostate cancer treatments have side effects. Those associated with HIFU are mild and infrequent but it’s important you are aware of them. They can include:
-
Over 90% of men will experience minimal to no side effects
For many men, the side effects of conventional treatment are more scary than the cancer itself.
Success rates
Reassuring, predictable success rates
Cancer control
- 100% cancer-specific survival rate
- 88% failure-free survival (FFS) rate – defined as freedom from radical or systemic therapy, metastases and cancer-specific mortality
- 74% of men didn’t need any further treatment after HIFU
Cancer control
- 100% cancer-specific survival rate
- 88% failure-free survival (FFS) rate – defined as freedom from radical or systemic therapy, metastases and cancer-specific mortality
- 74% of men didn’t need any further treatment after HIFU
Sexual potency*
- 75% of men had no issues with sexual function after HIFU
- 20% of men needed ongoing, over-the-counter medication to support sexual function (but may have been using this prior to HIFU)
- 5% of men needed some ongoing additional support
*For men with erectile function pre-treatment
Sexual potency*
- 95% of men had no issues with sexual function after HIFU
- 20% of men needed ongoing, over-the-counter medication to support sexual function (but may have been using this prior to HIFU)
- 5% of men needed some ongoing additional support
*For men with erectile function pre-treatment
Urinary continence
- 98% of men had no problems with urinary continence after HIFU
Urinary continence
- 98% of men had no problems with urinary continence after HIFU
Source: A Multicentre Study of 5-year Outcomes Following Focal Therapy in Treating Clinically Significant Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer EAU 74 (2018)
Key statistics
needed no further treatment after HIFU treatment
had no issues with sexual function after HIFU (compared to 85% of men reporting erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy)
had no problems with urinary continence after HIFU.
Clinical trials have shown that focal therapy has similar oncological outcomes over 8 years to traditional prostate cancer treatments, but with vastly reduced side effects.
Source: A Multicentre Study of 5-year Outcomes Following Focal Therapy in Treating Clinically Significant Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer EAU 74 (2018)
Procedure & recovery
Our urologists will assess if HIFU is right for you during an initial consultation. If you have localized prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7 or less, you may be eligible for HIFU treatment.
- We will ask about your medical history, diagnosis, and treatment goals.
- We'll review your MRI and biopsy results and may suggest additional tests to confirm if the cancer is only in the prostate.
Our experts will use the MRI and biopsy information to create a personalized treatment plan.
Preparation is important for a successful procedure and recovery. Your consultant will guide you on how to get ready physically and mentally. They will advise on medication adjustments, fasting before anesthesia, and provide an estimate of the recovery time and when you can resume your normal activities.
“The side effects of surgery were, in many respects, more scary to me than the cancer itself. My hope is that men in my situation look at the other options that are open to them.”
Steve Wright, The Focal Therapy Clinic patient
FAQs
Any questions?
A prostate cancer diagnosis can leave you feeling overwhelmed, anxious and unsure of which treatment pathway to follow. We understand and are here to help you make an informed decision about your care.
If you’ve still got questions about HIFU or any other focal therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable team.
Fill in an enquiry form