HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment – Benefits, Risks & More

While conventional prostate cancer treatment options like prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) and chemotherapy are effective at eliminating cancer, more innovative approaches have emerged to treat localized prostate cancer with reduced side effects for patients.

As a type of focal therapy, HIFU is sometimes called “partial gland ablation” since it only targets smaller tumors that are localized to one area within the prostate. Unlike other focal therapy treatment methods, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) uses intense ultrasound energy waves to heat cancerous prostate tissue and destroy cancer cells.

Are you looking to learn more about HIFU prostate cancer treatment? Let’s discuss the benefits and risks of HIFU along with the success rate and side effects of this emerging treatment option for prostate cancer.

What is HIFU?

 

High-intensity focused ultrasound is a minimally invasive focal therapy treatment for localized prostate cancer. It uses precisely targeted ultrasound waves to destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue and structures near the prostate gland.

The main source of energy in a HIFU procedure is focused ultrasound waves. These waves are similar to the technology used in ultrasound fusion platforms but deploy ultrasound energy at much higher intensity. Ultrasound waves are concentrated into a small focal point within the prostate and temperature is increased to over 190°F almost instantly.

The HIFU prostate cancer treatment procedure uses thermal ablation to begin controlled tissue destruction of the targeted cancer cells. While performing a HIFU procedure can be done on a variety of ultrasound platforms, the KOELIS Trinity® system is by far the most effective. With Trinity, physicians create a precise 3D map of the prostate without the possibility of patient movement or prostate deformation affecting the procedure.

“While performing a HIFU procedure can be done on a variety of ultrasound platforms, the KOELIS Trinity® system is by far the most effective.”

Success Rate of HIFU for Prostate Cancer

HIFU procedures are backed by data and research that have proven its effectiveness. One 2020 study found that among 70 men with localized prostate cancer who received HIFU treatment, overall survival rates exceeded 96 percent¹. The study also found that urinary function and continence was well preserved in HIFU patients.

Additionally, a 2024 systematic review of HIFU prostate cancer studies concluded that prostate cancer survival following a HIFU procedure exceeded 90 percent with a relatively low likelihood of side effects from the procedure².

Where Can I Get HIFU Treatment?

 

HIFU treatment is not available universally, and typically only select cancer centers with advanced urology departments offer HIFU. Additionally, high-volume urology practices and specialized men’s health centers may offer HIFU prostate cancer treatment.

The cost for HIFU prostate cancer treatment varies, but generally patients should expect to pay between $15,000 and $25,000 for HIFU³. In the United States, notable cancer centers offering HIFU treatment for patients include Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai, Cleveland Clinic, and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

HIFU vs. Radiation for Prostate Cancer

HIFU and radiation therapy for prostate cancer are similar treatments that are both proven to be effective at treating localized cancer. However, there are some key differences to keep in mind when comparing the two.

HIFU uses high intensity focused ultrasound waves to heat and destroy targeted prostate tissue, while radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to damage cancer cell DNA and prevent spreading. HIFU is highly effective at treating a specific region of the prostate (i.e. focal) while radiation is often used for whole gland treatment. 

Both HIFU and radiation therapy achieve similar short-to-medium term survival in low and intermediate risk localized prostate cancer. However, radiation therapy may have better long-term outcomes, with one study finding a 15-year survival rate of over 97 percent⁴. HIFU may also require more frequent retreatment compared to initial radiation.

Side Effects of HIFU

 

Like all prostate cancer treatments, HIFU comes with several side effects that patients should understand before starting the treatment. The most common side effect with HIFU is urinary issues, specifically urinary urgency, frequency, retention, and urinary incontinence. 

Other side effects to be aware of include erectile dysfunction and loss of ejaculation, although the risk is decreased with focal HIFU as opposed to whole gland targeting. Additionally, bowel and rectal issues are possible, with mild inflammation and rectal discomfort less common.

The Bottom Line

HIFU prostate cancer treatment is one of the most innovative and effective focal therapy procedures available today. While there are several risks and downsides to consider, the fact is that HIFU remains a promising treatment alternative that’s being adopted in more cancer treatment centers in the United States.

Want to learn more about how KOELIS is advancing prostate cancer treatment and care? Check out the KOELIS Trinity ultrasound fusion system and find out why top cancer centers choose KOELIS for prostate cancer treatment.

 

 

References

1 – Royce PL, Ooi JJY, Sothilingam S, Yao HH. Survival and quality of life outcomes of high-intensity focused ultrasound treatment of localized prostate cancer. Prostate Int. 2020 Jun;8(2):85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.prnil.2019.12.002. Epub 2020 Mar 12. PMID: 32647645; PMCID: PMC7335960. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7335960/

2 – Zhilin Liu Peter Guang, Gitte Kristensen, Andreas Røder, Klaus Brasso, Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Whole-Gland HIFU as the Primary Treatment for Localized Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review, Clinical Genitourinary Cancer, Volume 22, Issue 4, 2024, 102101, ISSN 1558-7673, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clgc.2024.102101.

3 – Prostate cancer patients are paying hefty price for controversial new treatment. Julie Appleby, Kaiser Health News. 2016. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/prostate-cancer-patients-paying-hefty-price-controversial-new-treatment

4 – Fifteen-Year Outcomes after Monitoring, Surgery, or Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer. Authors: Freddie C. Hamdy, F.R.C.S.(Urol.), F.Med.Sci., Jenny L. Donovan, Ph.D., F.Med.Sci., J. Athene Lane, Ph.D., Chris Metcalfe, Ph.D., Michael Davis, M.Sc., Emma L. Turner, Ph.D., Richard M. Martin, B.M., B.S., Ph.D., et al. Published March 11, 2023. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:1547-1558. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2214122. VOL. 388 NO. 17. Copyright © 2023