High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Treatment for Prostate Cancer

The HIFU ultrasound procedure offers an advanced, nonsurgical treatment option for certain types of prostate cancer. During the HIFU procedure, doctors use high-intensity ultrasound waves to target specific areas of the prostate. The precisely focused sound waves destroy cancerous cells while preserving more of the surrounding healthy tissues.

Since it's a minimally invasive procedure, HIFU enables doctors to protect noncancerous tissues and lower the chances of complications compared to traditional open surgery.

Advantages of HIFU Treatments

Choosing the best prostate cancer treatment requires talking with your doctor about the location and stage of your cancer, your medical history and health condition, and other factors. Your doctor can also discuss the potential risks and benefits of HIFU specific to your condition and treatment goals.

Generally, HIFU offers these benefits compared to other prostate cancer treatments:

• Less invasive, with fewer risks or discomfort: Since HIFU doesn’t involve surgery or radiation, you'll have minimal discomfort. It's a minimally invasive prostate procedure, so healing is easier and faster.
• A quick return to your normal activities: You can return to your routine lifestyle shortly after the procedure.
• A better quality of life, without troublesome side effects: HIFU carries a low risk of complications such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
• The convenience of an outpatient procedure: Doctors can perform HIFU in an outpatient clinic or office, so you can return home the same day.

What to Expect on the Day of Your HIFU Procedure

Your care team will provide details about how to prepare for your procedure and what to expect. These general guidelines can help you get started:

• Arrival and preparation: You'll arrive in the morning after completing a bowel prep the night before. Your care providers will instruct you about where to check in. They'll also tell you about specific diet restrictions as well as at-home procedures that will clear out your intestines.
• Anesthesia: A specialist will administer general anesthesia, so you won’t feel anything during the procedure.
• Procedure: Your urologist will perform the procedure with precision, targeting only the affected tissue.
• Medications: You'll need to consult with your doctor in advance and inform your care providers about any medications taken before your treatment.

After Your HIFU Procedure

Your doctor and care team will give you personalized instructions about what to know and what to expect after your HIFU procedure. Following are some general guidelines:


• Catheter placement: Care providers will insert a temporary urinary tube (catheter) to reduce risks associated with retaining urine and not fully emptying the bladder.
• Follow-up visit: Your providers will remove your catheter at the first follow-up visit, which is typically within five days to a week after the procedure.
• Home catheter care: Your team will talk with you about daily cleaning and care for your catheter, which is essential to safe healing and a smooth recovery.