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Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States.*
HIFU or High Intensity
Focused Ultrasound may offer advantages over traditional treatment options.
How Does HIFU Therapy Work?
HIFU destroys prostate cancer cells through precise focusing of sound waves to the targeted location. A transducer from an ultrasound probe inserted into the rectum delivers the sound waves. The use of a robotic arm allows the surgeon to precisely control the probe’s movements. The heat, created from the interaction between the sound waves and the cancerous tissue is what destroys the cancer cells.
Advantages:
HIFU is minimally invasive. Surgery and radiation are not always necessary. Only the cancerous tissue is targeted, not the surrounding tissue
Precision features significantly reduce side effects, such as impotence or urinary problems.
HIFU is an outpatient treatment. Patients typically recover for about two hours in the hospital setting and then go home, often without pain medication.
Experience Matters
When it comes to the use of HIFU for the treatment of prostate cancer, experience is important, according to Stephen Scionti, MD, board-certified urologist.
Dr. Scionti performed the first HIFU treatment at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in 2018 when the hospital became one of the first in Florida to acquire HIFU. Since then many of the hospital’s prostate cancer patients have benefitted.
“With HIFU we can treat the disease effectively with less chance of urinary leakage and sexual issues compared to more invasive traditional treatments, plus patients have a better chance for rapid return to normalcy,” says Dr. Scionti.
For patients who are seeking the advantages of HIFU, Dr. Scionti recommends that they do their research to find a physician who has experience with the procedure. Dr. Scionti has worked extensively with HIFU.
Stephen Scionti, MD Urologist
For a referral to a physician at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, please call 941-708-8100 or visit LakewoodRanchMedicalCenter.com
Individual results may vary. There are risks associated with any minimally invasive procedure. Talk with your doctor about these risks to find out if this procedure is right for you. Physicians are on the medical staff of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, but, with limited exceptions, are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians. For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
*Source: CDC
