High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is changing how localized prostate cancer is treated at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. Al Hellinger, a retired resident diagnosed with prostate cancer in the summer of 2024, received the non-invasive focal therapy after initial consultations suggested he would need up to 48 radiation treatments, roswellpark.org reported.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Options At Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center
When Al Hellinger received his diagnosis from his local urologist, he was initially advised to undergo surgery or up to 48 radiation treatments. Seeking another opinion, he turned to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, a prominent institution in his hometown where he met with Khurshid Guru, MD, Chair of the Urology Department. Dr. Guru outlined several options, noting that Roswell Park’s radiation approach typically involved 12 to 15 treatments rather than 48, according to roswellpark.org.
Following that evaluation, Dr. Guru referred Hellinger to Roswell Park urologist Ahmed Aly, MD, to determine his eligibility for HIFU. Roswell Park is the only provider of HIFU therapy for prostate cancer in the Buffalo region. Hellinger qualified for the procedure because his cancer’s location and extent were suitable for focal therapy, whereas more widespread cancer would have disqualified him, roswellpark.org reported.
How High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Works Against Cancer Cells
Dr. Ahmed Aly explains that the focal therapy targets only the cancerous portion of the prostate gland.
The procedure uses high-frequency ultrasonic waves generated by a transducer to heat and destroy cancer cells. Before delivery, an ultrasound probe scans the prostate to create detailed images. Urologists use these images to plan precise targeting with safety margins, avoiding healthy tissue to minimize side effects such as urinary leakage and erectile dysfunction. Depending on the size of the treatment area, the procedure takes a couple of hours, followed by 30 to 45 minutes of recovery time, roswellpark.org reported.
Patient Eligibility And Potential Complications For Focal Therapy
Patients on active surveillance who show signs of progression, or select men whose prior radiation treatment has failed, may also be considered for salvage therapy, according to Dr. Aly via roswellpark.org.
While the risk of complications is significantly lower than that of traditional surgery or radiation, no medical procedure is entirely free of risks. All patients require a catheter for a few days following the HIFU procedure, roswellpark.org reported.
Meanwhile, prostate cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth in the small organ located below the bladder that produces semen. While typically diagnosed in men over 65, the exact cause remains unknown, though experts link it to inherited or age-related DNA changes, iccacancercare.com reported. Traditional care often involves surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, which can cause quality-of-life side effects, prompting organizations like ICCA CancerCare to develop alternative tumor-shrinking programs that avoid life-altering surgery, according to iccacancercare.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About HIFU Prostate Therapy
How long does the HIFU procedure take?
The length of the procedure depends on the size of the area being treated, taking an average of a couple of hours with 30 to 45 minutes of recovery time, roswellpark.org reported.
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