Non-surgical pinpoint treatment of prostate cancer: HIFU
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers in men in the world and in our country. As in other types of cancer, early diagnosis has an important place in the treatment of this disease. HIFU, a non-surgical treatment method, has been used frequently in prostate cancer cases in recent years. High Intensity Focused Ultrasound – High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Waves, namely HIFU technology, is characterized as a non-surgical, point-targeted treatment in prostate cancer. The latest version of HIFU technology applied at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital can ensure that only the diseased area of the prostate is treated and the surrounding tissues are not damaged. With HIFU, risks such as urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction are also eliminated. The duration of the HIFU procedure is directly proportional to the size of the area to be burned. The process, which takes 1-2 hours on average, may take longer if the area to be burned is large.
Contents
What is the HIFU method?
For which patients is the HIFU method suitable?
How is HIFU applied?
What is the feature of HIFU method? What are the advantages?
Frequently asked questions about HIFU
What is the HIFU method?
Treatments such as surgery and radiotherapy are used in prostate cancer. These treatment methods can have many side effects. As a result, the High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU method for short, was developed. However, in the first HIFU applications, the entire prostate was burned and this resulted in various side effects. The current version of the HIFU technology, known as focal point-and-shoot treatment, applied at Memorial Bahçelievler Hospital, can eliminate risks such as urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction by ensuring that only the diseased area of the prostate is treated and the surrounding tissues are not damaged.
For which patients is the HIFU method suitable?
The HIFU method is mostly applied in the early stages of prostate cancer, in small and non-invasive patients. Patients for whom the HIFU method is recommended;
The HIFU method is a more appropriate treatment option, as it provides an advantage in mostly young patients who do not want to have urinary problems and have an active sexual life.
Patients with prostate cancer in the early stage, that is, in the T1 or T2 stage,
The cancer is in its infancy,
Patients whose age or general condition is not suitable for prostate cancer surgery
Patients seeking minimally invasive treatment versus radical surgical treatment methods
Patients who have had previous abdominal surgeries
How is HIFU applied?
Prostate cancer treatment with HIFU is performed by giving a light dose of anesthesia to the person. High-power ultrasound waves are sent to the cancerous area of the prostate by entering the anus with a probe. With their absorption, a temperature increase of 85-100 degrees occurs and only cancerous cells are destroyed. In this way, targeted treatment is performed by protecting the surrounding healthy prostate tissue.
What is the feature of HIFU method? What are the advantages?
It prevents sexual dysfunction and maintains urinary control.
In open surgeries, the patient stays in the hospital for 3-4 days. Since radiotherapy treatment lasts for 30 days, the patient has to come to the hospital almost every day. The HIFU procedure is a one-session application. Patients who underwent HIFU can return to their homes after staying in the hospital for 1 night. If the procedure is applied in the morning, the patients can be discharged in the evening of the same day.
The risk of complications is low.
It can be easily applied in cases of recurrence after open surgery, closed surgery, radiotherapy or HIFU.
It gives the chance to interfere with the cancer tissue without damaging the surrounding organs and tissues.
It is not exposed to the harmful effects of radiation.
Patients who are not suitable for surgery can benefit from HIFU.
Although the pain threshold differs for each individual, the HIFU procedure is defined as a painless application.
It can be applied in elderly patients who cannot receive anesthesia.
Frequently asked questions about HIFU
Can HIFU be used in benign prostate enlargement?
HIFU is a treatment method applied only in prostate cancer.
Can it be applied in later ages?
HIFU can be applied to men of all ages with prostate cancer, depending on the patient’s suitability for treatment.
Is the entire prostate destroyed by ultrasonic waves?
In the HIFU process, only the cancerous tissues of the prostate are targeted and the temperature is increased only with ultrasonic waves specific to that point. In this way, the surrounding tissues are not damaged and the prostate is ensured to perform all its functions.