| Because of the numerous benefits of High Intensity | | | | Currently, there are two ways to get HIFU |
| Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) as a prostate cancer | | | | treatment. The first is to find an open clinical trial in |
| treatment option, many patients are wondering how | | | | your area. To do this, find a doctor who is working |
| they can get the treatment. As of February 2010, | | | | with the clinical trials, and ask whether or not you |
| the FDA is still investigating HIFU as a prostate | | | | qualify to participate. If you do, you can get HIFU |
| cancer treatment, and several HIFU delivery devices | | | | treatment for your prostate cancer without leaving |
| are in clinical trials stages. Those who wish to benefit | | | | the United States. |
| from HIFU now will need to be creative to find a | | | | The other option is to travel to a HIFU treatment |
| treatment option. | | | | clinic outside of the US. Some of the best urologists |
| What Is HIFU? | | | | in the country regularly travel to these clinics to |
| HIFU is a medical procedure that uses ultrasound | | | | perform HIFU. The treatment centers will help |
| waves to destroy tissue that is otherwise hard to | | | | patients find lodging to use before and after |
| reach, such as the tissue in the prostate gland. When | | | | treatment. Since treatment with HIFU is an outpatient |
| used to treat prostate cancer, HIFU destroys the | | | | procedure, most patients are able to travel to the |
| entire prostate gland by heating and ablating the | | | | treatment center, receive the treatment, and return |
| tissue using ultrasound waves. This highly effective | | | | home in just a few days. Follow up with a urologists |
| treatment limits the risk of side effects form other | | | | in the states is recommended after HIFU treatment. |
| prostate cancer treatment options, making it ideal for | | | | Recovery: What to Expect |
| those who wish to preserve their current quality of | | | | Compared to other prostate cancer treatment |
| life while dealing with the threat caused by localized | | | | options, recovery after HIFU is minimal. HIFU patients |
| prostate cancer. | | | | can expect to wear a catheter to allow the bladder |
| Do I Qualify? | | | | to completely drain while the body heals. Patients will |
| The first step in getting HIFU treatment for your | | | | need the catheter for between one and four weeks, |
| prostate cancer is determining if you qualify for | | | | which means it will need to be removed during follow |
| treatment. Find a urologist who is familiar with HIFU | | | | up with a urologist in the patient's local area. Most |
| and works with clinical trials or international treatment | | | | patients are able to move normally within a few |
| facilities to discuss your case. You will need to tell the | | | | hours of treatment. Mild discomfort is common, but |
| doctor your recent PSA, Gleason score, the size and | | | | no severe pain. Any discomfort felt is typically |
| volume of your prostate and any treatments you | | | | treated using painkillers. Some uncomfortable urinary |
| have already tried. Other factors will be considered as | | | | symptoms, like frequency, urgency, or urinary |
| well, including the patient's age, overall health, and the | | | | discomfort, are common, but these are temporary |
| location of the prostate tumors. | | | | and will resolve themselves within a few days of |
| Finding Treatment | | | | treatment. |