High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)

Key takeaways

• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment that uses targeted ultrasound energy to destroy cancer cells
• HIFU works best for localized prostate cancer. It preserves nearby healthy tissue and reduces side effects
• We perform treatment in a single outpatient session, allowing you to return to everyday life with less downtime

Summary

HIFU treatment at Montage Health in Monterey effectively targets and destroys prostate cancer tumors. You benefit from fewer side effects and a quicker recovery.

If you have prostate cancer, you may be looking for a treatment that’s effective, while also preserving your quality of life.

HIFU is an advanced, noninvasive option available at Montage Health. As part of our robotic surgery program, it uses ultrasound energy to precisely target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue. That means no incisions or radiation, and a quicker return to your normal routine.

What is HIFU?

HIFU is a treatment that uses highly focused sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells in the prostate. We direct the energy only where it’s needed to protect the surrounding healthy tissue. This level of precision makes HIFU a strong option for localized prostate cancer — when the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate.

A more targeted approach to prostate cancer treatment

HIFU offers a different experience from traditional prostate cancer treatments. You may benefit from:

• Faster recovery and minimal downtime
• No surgery or radiation
• Outpatient treatment with a return home the same day
• Precise treatment focused only on the cancerous area
• Reduced risk of side effects, including incontinence and erectile dysfunction

How the HIFU procedure works

Understanding the HIFU process can help you feel more confident about your care. You can expect:

• Evaluation — You’ll meet with a specialist to review your diagnosis, imaging, and overall health to determine if HIFU is right for you
• Treatment planning — If you’re a candidate, your care team will map out a personalized treatment plan using detailed imaging
• Targeted energy delivery — While you’re under anesthesia, the HIFU system delivers focused ultrasound energy exactly where it’s needed to treat the cancer. We complete the procedure in a single same-day session

Most patients can quickly get back to their everyday activities. Your care team may place a temporary catheter (thin, flexible tube) to drain urine from your bladder as you heal. Over the next few months, you’ll have follow-up prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, imaging, or other monitoring to see how well the treatment worked.

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