Menu
HIFU (pronounded “high-foo”), or high intensity focused ultrasound is a minimally invasive prostate ablation procedure for non-metastatic prostate cancer.
HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) is a minimally invasive procedure that eradicates prostate cancer through the precision focusing of sound waves to a targeted spot. The process results in the creation of heat due to the interaction between the sound waves and the cancerous tissue to destroy cancer cells.
HIFU is a minimally invasive procedure which offers drastically reduced side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, and the same efficacy rates as traditional, more invasive prostate treatment options. Worldwide, more than 50,000 men have been treated for prostate cancer using HIFU. In 2014 and 2015 thousands of men left the United States to seek HIFU treatment and its many benefits prior to HIFU receiving FDA clearance in the fall of 2015. Dr. Cochran has been offering HIFU to men for over 25 years.
Although HIFU therapy was FDA cleared for prostate ablation in October 2015, the technology has been around for three decades and has been used to treat prostate cancer since 1995. Several studies have been published on HIFU effectiveness showing men that with low- to moderate-risk disease achieve excellent disease-free rates and excellent negative biopsy rates. The most recent HIFU study shows the overall survival five years following the procedure is 97 percent, which is no different than traditional treatments; in addition to excellent long-term survival, the metastasis-free survival rate is 97 percent.
The advantage of HIFU performed by an experienced, peer-to-peer trained physician is the minimal risk of side effects. However, urinary tract infections can occur following HIFU therapy since a catheter is used in the immediate days following treatment. Other side effects can include effects on the frequency and urgency of urination, mild discomfort, or discharge in the urinary stream in the first few weeks following HIFU. If an inexperienced and untrained physician performs HIFU, the same side effects that accompany traditional prostate cancer treatments, such as incontinence and impotence, can occur.
Every patient is different and there are many important factors to be taken into consideration to determine if a patient is a good candidate for HIFU treatment. Schedule a HIFU consultation to find out if you qualify.
If you decide to choose Sonablate HIFU you will receive detailed pre-operative instructions.
HIFU is performed as an outpatient procedure, so there is no overnight hospitalization required. Patients are discharged from the hospital the same day that they are treated.
The HIFU procedure typically lasts between 1-4 hours, depending on the size of the prostate, and is either done under general anesthesia or an epidural and IV sedation. During the procedure a suprapubic catheter will be put into place to help with urination, and will typically stay in place for 1-3 weeks.
After HIFU treatment, patients will be in a recovery room for about 2-4 hours. Then men are discharged to recover more comfortably at home or at a hotel. Though it is recommended for patients to take things easy, most people feel well enough to be out and about the night of the procedure. Typically men return to their normal lifestyle within a few days.
