In 2012, around 242,000 males in the U.S. and another 25,000 in Canada will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The average age at diagnosis is around 67. Because prostate cancer is so widespread it is essential to find treatments that work without major negative side effects is a major concern of many Urologists. A more recent prostate cancer treatment getting more and more popular and has shown results is HIFU which stands for High Intensity Focused ultrasound HIFU 5D.
Localized Prostate Cancer
Localized prostate cancer is a form of cancer which is entirely inside prostate gland. It is also known in the form of T1 also known as T2.
T1 is a word used by doctors to refer to prostate cancer in its beginning stages. At this stage, the tumors are so small that they aren’t causing any symptoms or signs. T2 is the term used to describe cancer that, although it is still restricted within the prostate gland symptoms and signs have begun to show up.
HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment
HIFU utilizes targeted ultrasound to destroy and heat cancerous tissues. It is focused in the same way as lasers are targeted, sound waves penetrate the targeted tissue to heat it. The targeting process is carried out using the help of an MRI scan.
The ultrasonic pulse that damages the tissue it hits is extremely small in its zone of impact, just several cubic millimeters. The affected tissue cannot more grow or multiply however, healthy tissue behind it remains unaffected.
The healthy tissue that remains in the prostate after treatment can continue to grow, function and multiply normally. This means that the patient has a likely recovery from cancer.
One Day Treatment
The HIFU procedure is non-invasive that is performed as an out-patient procedure. A general and a local anesthetic is given when the patient is lying on his back. After the anesthetic is in effect then a rectal probe can be placed until it is in front of the prostate gland. A MRI examines the region of the prostate gland. The tumors within it are identified and targeted.
Once the targeted information has been taken after which the HIFU device will send waves of focused ultrasound to the affected tissue cancer. In a few cubic millimeters at one time, the cancerous tissue is heated to temperatures of 80degC and then destroyed. Once the tissue has been heated, it has died and will no ever expand. The entire treatment of the prostate gland, it takes about 2 – 4 hours.
A catheter is put in the urinary incontinence that is expected to be affecting the patient for approximately 2 weeks.
After Treatment
After the patient has recuperated from effects caused by the anesthetic, they are sent home without any restrictions on diet as well as an antibiotic prescription that will be used for 2 weeks prior to the next appointment.
Directly affecting side effects
The prostate will show some swelling right after treatment, and there is a possibility that a slight leakage will be observed. Alongside the incontinence there could be slight bleeding during the initial phase of urination. The patient might feel the urge to flush. The symptoms will pass and will last approximately two weeks.
Follow-Up
In the follow-up visit the catheter will be removed, and samples of blood are collected to check for PSA levels. Doctors anticipate that your PSA levels to rise for the initial three to six months following the procedure, when they should decrease and then return to normal.
It is believed that the HIFU process has been offered in Europe for over 10 years and was accepted from Health Canada in 2003. It is currently under evaluation from FDA within the United States, and approval is anticipated in 2013. The research data for Ablatherm HIFU Ablatherm HIFU procedure have proven that it is a successful and safe option for treating prostate cancer that is confined to the organ, with less significant adverse side consequences.
