HIFU for Prostate Cancer

Focal Therapy is the minimally-invasive alternative prostate cancer treatment.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an outpatient treatment for prostate cancer that doesn’t involve surgery or radiation. HIFU cures prostate cancer while allowing the man to maintain the highest possible quality of life, including continence and erectile function.

How does it work?

Our HIFU system captures real-time images of the prostate, allowing the doctor to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. Once the treatment plan is mapped, the doctor delivers the ultrasound energy to targeted sites, or focal points, throughout the prostate gland.

HIFU treatment is focal, meaning that the ultrasound heat only destroys the unhealthy tissue, leaving the healthy part of the prostate intact.

Is HIFU treatment effective?

Among patients who have been treated with HIFU, 87% report no cancer after 5 years.*

Here’s how HIFU compares to the other treatment options.

HIFU vs other prostate cancer treatments, effectiveness

* Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Disease (2016) 19, 79–83; doi:10.1038/pcan.2015.55; published online 24 November 2015

Why choose HIFU?

Men affected by prostate cancer choose HIFU treatment because it’s effective and allows them to maintain their quality of life. Most common concerns after surgical and radiation treatments are urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. The rate of these side effects after HIFU is dramatically lower than with any other treatment.

Erectile dysfunction rates after prostate cancer treatment, comparison

 

Incontinence rates after prostate cancer treatment, comparison

What can I expect during and after the procedure?

HIFU is an outpatient procedure performed under light sedation. The treatment takes one to two hours and you will be able to return home the same day.

Catheter

You may require a catheter for a few days following the procedure. Your treating doctor will discuss this with you.

Medication

Cialis/Levitra/Viagra-type medications should be taken as directed. These medications assist with the healing process even if you anticipate no sexual activity.

Testing

PSA tests are used to track your outcome from the HIFU procedure. We recommend tests at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-treatment. During the second year the PSA should be monitored at 6-month intervals. Once your PSA level is stable, your doctor will determine the appropriate interval for monitoring.

What is normal after the procedure?

You may have the following temporary side effects:

  • Body aches for a few days
  • Blood and clots in urine
  • Tissue fragments in urine
  • Urine leaking, particularly around the catheter insertion
  • Stinging or tingling sensation at the tip of the penis for a few days

Do I qualify for HIFU?

Not every man diagnosed with prostate cancer is a candidate for HIFU. We evaluate each case individually and use test results to determine patients’ eligibility for the treatment.

If you have your biopsy results and / or ultrasound report on hand, send us a message and we’ll get back to you with your eligibility assessment.

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Find out if you're a candidate for HIFU treatment, request a consultation.

UUA Patient Testimonials

HIFU 4

I had less discomfort getting my HIFU treatment than I did getting my hair cut!

University Urology Associates
2016-05-10T22:33:26-04:00
I had less discomfort getting my HIFU treatment than I did getting my hair cut!

HIFU 2

I had my total HIFU treatment 8 years ago. I was back working as a Professor at the University 3 days later. I am voiding perfectly, have great erections and a negligible PSA.

University Urology Associates
2016-05-10T22:32:18-04:00
I had my total HIFU treatment 8 years ago. I was back working as a Professor at the University 3 days later. I am voiding perfectly, have great erections and a negligible PSA.

HIFU 1

I am a 44 yo man who was diagnosed with localized prostate cancer. I had my HIFU treatment, was back at work 2 days later and have a very low PSA. Thank you.

University Urology Associates
2016-05-10T22:30:40-04:00
I am a 44 yo man who was diagnosed with localized prostate cancer. I had my HIFU treatment, was back at work 2 days later and have a very low PSA. Thank you.

HIFU 3

Two of my brothers had surgery for their prostate cancer. Luckily, I read about and was a candidate for HIFU. I had my HIFU treatment 4 years ago and am cured. I was back to work immediately and had none of the problems that my 2 brothers had suffered, such as trouble with erections and some loss of urine when they laughed or lifted.

University Urology Associates
2016-05-10T22:32:56-04:00
Two of my brothers had surgery for their prostate cancer. Luckily, I read about and was a candidate for HIFU. I had my HIFU treatment 4 years ago and am cured. I was back to work immediately and had none of the problems that my 2 brothers had suffered, such as trouble with erections and some loss of urine when they laughed or lifted.

HIFU 5

My prostate cancer suddenly worsened to Gleason 7, and I faced the task of choosing how to treat it. I selected Dr. Dean Elterman at Can-Am HIFU (UUA) because focused ultrasound was said to have excellent results with over more than a decade of use, be painless and, amazingly, the operation would be completed in a few hours. As a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist, I expected some difficulty, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the entire process. I went into the operating room at 8am, had a spinal anaesthetic neatly delivered and pain free, some sedation, and woke up at 12 noon with no grogginess. I had a drink of water, a sandwich, talked to the competent, friendly staff and my wife, and left the clinic for home at 2 p.m. I had no pain, absolutely none, the catheter was not really unpleasant, and once it was removed, I urinated regularly and easily. Dr. Elterman astonishingly replied to telephone calls and emails, a new experience for me. I don't yet know the long-term results, but I was more than pleased at the initial stages. Worth every penny!


J.L. Granatstein, Toronto

University Urology Associates
2016-08-09T19:37:55-04:00
My prostate cancer suddenly worsened to Gleason 7, and I faced the task of choosing how to treat it. I selected Dr. Dean Elterman at Can-Am HIFU (UUA) because focused ultrasound was said to have excellent results with over more than a decade of use, be painless and, amazingly, the operation would be completed in a few hours. As a dyed-in-the-wool pessimist, I expected some difficulty, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the entire process. I went into the operating room at 8am, had a spinal anaesthetic neatly delivered and pain free, some sedation, and woke up at 12 noon with no grogginess. I had a drink of water, a sandwich, talked to the competent, friendly staff and my wife, and left the clinic for home at 2 p.m. I had no pain, absolutely none, the catheter was not really unpleasant, and once it was removed, I urinated regularly and easily. Dr. Elterman astonishingly replied to telephone calls and emails, a new experience for me. I don't yet know the long-term results, but I was more than pleased at the initial stages. Worth every penny! J.L. Granatstein, Toronto
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University Urology Associates

Our HIFU Specialists