High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

At Hoag, You Are Not Alone.

The Hoag Family Cancer Institute’s medical team includes experienced, fellowship-trained urologic oncologists who utilize the latest techniques and technology in the surgical management of many different urologic cancers, including prostate cancer. 

What is High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?

Focal One^® Robotic Focal HIFU is today’s most advanced technology for precisely targeted ablation of diseased prostate tissue for patients with localized prostate cancer. Our HIFU surgical team currently includes two fellowship-trained urologic oncologists:

• Jeffrey C. Bassett, MD
• Daniel Su, MD

HIFU technology ablates prostate tissue by focusing high-intensity ultrasound waves on the affected area, causing localized heating that destroys the cells in the gland without damaging the healthy surrounding tissue. Focused ultrasound works in the same way as rays of sunlight that pass through a magnifying glass and are concentrated at a single point, equally causing a significant temperature to rise around the focal point.

Advantages of HIFU Treatments

Focal One^® Robotic Focal HIFU is the ideal treatment tool to ablate just the diseased part of the prostate for the optimal preservation of quality of life. This latest HIFU medical device marketed is dedicated to focal therapy. The real-time imaging allows for precise local ablation in one session under general anesthesia, repeatable, if necessary, with a low risk of side effects.

            – Non-invasive Procedure with no blade, no scar, no radiation, or incision

            – Low Risk of Side Effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction

            – Quality of Life Preservation with minimal time away from work and leisure activities

The Principle of HIFU

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) uses an ultrasound probe to deliver high-intensity sound waves at a precise point. The magnitude of ultrasound energy delivered rapidly raises the temperature at the focal point, causing coagulation necrosis without damaging healthy tissue and structures outside the targeted area.

How a HIFU Treatment Works

1. Imaging of the Prostate – The whole prostate is scanned by the transrectal ultrasound imaging probe and displayed on the Focal One screen as a three-dimensional reconstruction of the area to be ablated.
2. Treatment Planning – On the screen, the urologist plans each step of the procedure, precisely targeting the area to be ablated.
3. HIFU Energy Delivery – Finally, the system automatically determines the optimal number of lesions based on the planning and produces High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound waves to destroy the targeted cells.

What Happens After Your HIFU Procedure?

At the end of the procedure, a temporary urinary catheter will be placed in order to limit the risk of urinary retention due to the temporary swelling. You will be discharged and can return home rapidly after the end of the procedure. The catheter will be removed at the first follow-up visit just a few days later. Typical follow-up will include PSA testing at three months, six months, and one year, as well as an MRI image and potentially follow-up biopsies at one year to evaluate the result. This follow-up can be performed by your treating urologist, or if you traveled from a remote location, your local urologist. 

Is HIFU Right For You?

Call or submit your information below to find out more about HIFU and if it might be right for you or someone you know.

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