High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

Overview

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a treatment that may be an option for patients with cancer localized to the prostate, where potentially curative treatment is needed.

HIFU is essentially a noninvasive treatment. While the patient is under anesthesia, ultrasound energy is transmitted from a probe inserted in the rectum. The energy travels harmlessly through the rectal wall and tissue surrounding the prostate, but the energy is focused and concentrated within the prostate to destroy prostate tissue and the cancer.

After the prostate cancer is completely destroyed, follow-up PSAs should be stable and prostate biopsies should be negative for cancer. For small tumors, it is often possible to destroy the cancer by only treating part of the prostate gland, and this should help preserve urinary continence and erectile function.