HIFU for the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
A minimally invasive, experimental therapy
For men with localized prostate cancer, HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional prostate cancer treatments.
How does HIFU work?
HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) uses high-energy sound waves to destroy prostate cancer cells without radiation. Intersecting, precision-focused ultrasound waves raise the temperature in the targeted cancerous tissue to more than 80–90 degrees Celsius in seconds, effectively destroying the tissue. It is analogous to the focusing of light by a camera lens or eyeglass lens, but using sound waves instead of light rays.
What are the advantages of HIFU?
Unlike radiation therapies, ultrasound energy is non-ionizing "clean energy" that does not damage tissue surrounding the target zone. The target zone is approximately 1/8 inch in diameter, which allows greater precision than radiation therapies. Unlike radiation therapy, HIFU treatments may be repeated in the event that the disease recurs locally. HIFU may also be used as a salvage therapy following failed radiation therapy.
The advantage of HIFU over radical prostatectomy is that HIFU is truly minimally invasive. Since the body cavity is not entered, there is negligible bleeding. In addition, the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting and may be repeated if necessary. Because of the precise targeting of the tissue ablation, incontinence and erectile dysfunction are less likely to occur after HIFU treatment.
What can I expect during the HIFU procedure?
The HIFU procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that a hospital stay is usually not necessary. The procedure is performed under spinal or general anesthesia and typically takes approximately 2 hours. During the procedure, a small probe is inserted into the rectum which generates and emits the ultrasound energy that is precisely targeted to the prostate. Your physician will monitor the prostate throughout the procedure using real-time ultrasound images to maximize prostate cancer destruction and minimize injury to other vital tissues.
What is the Sonablate 500?
Two types of HIFU machines are being investigated for treating prostate cancer; the physicians of NYU Urology prefer the Sonablate® 500.
The Sonablate® 500 has been approved in many countries outside the U.S. as an image-guided acoustic ablation device for prostate disease therapy. The technology behind the device originated at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in the 1970s, and has been further developed in leading research centers across the globe. In 2001, the Sonablate® 500 was approved for distribution in Europe and Japan. It is also approved for use in Canada, China, Australia, Costa Rica, Mexico, India, South Africa and the Caribbean.
Who is a candidate for HIFU?
Men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer:
Men who have been newly diagnosed with prostate cancer may be eligible for HIFU therapy at an International HIFU Center in the Bahamas or Mexico. We invite you to contact one of our HIFU doctors to determine if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Men with recurrent prostate cancer who have failed radiation therapy:
Men with recurrent localized prostate cancer who have had undergone radiation therapy may qualify for a new phase III clinical study testing the efficacy of HIFU for the treatment of this type of cancer. Overseen by Dr. Lepor, the study provides treatment at no cost, for those who qualify.
Where is the HIFU procedure performed?
HIFU for men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer
HIFU treatment for prostate cancer has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, to date, over 6,000 men have undergone HIFU at over 100 International HIFU Centers throughout the globe. Faculty member Dr. Stephen Scionti regularly performs the procedure at the International HIFU Centers in Mexico and the Bahamas.
Clinical trial - HIFU for recurrent prostate cancer after failed radiation therapy
For men enrolled in the clinical trial, treatment takes place at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. NYU is the first academic site in the U.S. to begin enrolling men into clinical studies of the Sonablate® 500. Dr. Herbert Lepor, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Urology at NYU Langone Medical Center, is the national medical monitor for these trials in the U.S.
What are potential complications of HIFU?
As with all treatments for prostate cancer, side effects may occur after HIFU treatment. These may include:
- Difficulty with urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain in the treatment area
- Urethral stricture
- Bladder outlet obstruction
- Urinary tract infection
- Erectile dysfunction
- Rectal wall injury and/or uretero-rectal fistula
How can I get more information?
Men newly diagnosed with localized prostate cancer:
We invite you to speak with one of our HIFU doctors to determine if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Men with recurrent prostate cancer who have failed radiation therapy:
For more information on the clinical trial, please visit our HIFU Clinical Trial web page or contact the Office of Clinical Trials at 646-825-6328.
Important information
The Sonablate® 500 is not approved for use in the U.S. The Sonablate® 500 remains investigational in the U.S. and is being studied for the treatment of prostate cancer in clinical trials in the U.S. The FDA has made no decision as to the safety or efficacy of the Sonablate®500 for the treatment of prostate cancer.
References
- Van Leenders GJ, Beerlage HP, Ruijter ET, de la Rosette JJ, van de Kaa CA. Histopathological changes associated with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for localised adenocarcinoma of the prostate. J Clin Pathol (2000) 53:391–4.
- Kennedy JE. High-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of solid tumours. Nat Rev Cancer (2005) 5:321–7.
- Zacharakis E et al. The feasibility and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound as salvage therapy for recurrent prostate cancer following external beam radiotherapy. BJU Int. 2008 Sep;102(7):786-92.
- Murat FJ et al. Mid-term results demonstrate salvage high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) as an effective and acceptably morbid salvage treatment option for locally radiorecurrent prostate cancer. Urol Oncol. 2008 Nov-Dec;26(6):683-4.
- Murat FJ, Gelet A. Current status of high-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer: technology, clinical outcomes and future. Curr Urol Rep 2008 9(2):113-21.
- Uchida T et al. Five year experience of transrectal high-intensity focused ultrasound using the Sonablate device in the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Int J Urol (2006) 13, 228-233.
- Uchida T, Ohkusa H, Nagata Y, Hyodo T, Satoh T, Irie A. Treatment of localized prostate cancer using high-intensity focused ultrasound. BJU Int. 2006 Jan;97(1):56-61.
