AUNC is committed to bringing our patients the most technologically advanced medical treatment options, so we are proud to offer HIFU to patients with stage one or stage two prostate cancer. HIFU, a non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA in October, 2015, presents a gentler treatment option with fewer side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence than treatments like radiation.
Since the FDA did not approve the procedure until recently, American men have needed to travel abroad in order to receive this treatment. Now, men in the Raleigh-Durham region can have access to and receive this alternative treatment option.
How It Works
The HIFU procedure removes cancerous cells without making a single incision or utilizing a scalpel by using Sonablate ultrasound technology to remove cancerous cells. The welcome result is an outpatient procedure usually doesn’t even require pain medication. HIFU’s non-invasive technique also does away with concerns about dealing with erectile disfunction and urination problems that often come with invasive prostate surgery.
HIFU is performed by customizing a transducer to match the patient’s body, which then focuses sound waves in only the specific, small area of cancerous tissue. This allows healthcare professionals to treat prostate cancer with next to no damage to healthy cells.
Candidates
HIFU is ideal for men with slow-growing lesions on their prostate gland that are being watched. The treatment can help men with prostate cancer who are seeking alternative treatment and would like to benefit from a less invasive treatment with a shorter recovery time.
Note: prostate cancer is the most common cancer found in men, and it is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in men. If you are a stage one or stage two patient, HIFU is an option for you.
If you would like to know more about AUNC’s relationship with the HIFU procedure, please visit our partner site at HIFU Prostate Services (HPS). There, you will find more background information about the procedure, patient testimonials, and a contact portal (located at the bottom of the home page) that will help you set up an appointment. (844) 371-HIFU (4438).
