HIFU As a Prostate Cancer Treatment Option
Prostate Cancer is the leading cancer among men in North America. Regular prostate screenings are essential for men over 50 years of age, since increasing age means increasing risk of contracting prostate cancer. Over 80% of men over the age of 80 will get prostate cancer. The good news is that cure rates for the early stages of prostate cancer are as high as 90%.
Men seeking HIFU Treatment for prostate cancer have several alternatives. One of the newest treatments gathering popularity is HIFU - High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. The procedure is done by urologists on an out-patient basis using a computer controlled device. Since the prostate is located in front of the rectum, a rectal probe is inserted and high energy ultrasound waves are focused through the rectal wall to the targeted prostate area. Using computer imaging techniques, the ultrasound waves are delivered with pinpoint accuracy, and the process is repeated until all the cancerous tissue is destroyed.
HIFU has gained in popularity over the years as the research and results continue to prove its effectiveness and success rates. HIFU has had comparable rates of success to the more invasive surgery and radiation, but with fewer side effects and down time. Younger men, 50-80, in particular, want to avoid the side effects of incontinence and impotency that often result from nerve damage to surrounding tissues and organs which occurs with radical prostatectomies. The Ablatherm HIFU treatment has a similar success rate to prostate surgery, however it has the advantage of using non-invasive technology.
HIFU has been popular in Europe for over 15 years. The procedure is not available in the United States, but Americans do have the option to go to Toronto, Canada to get treated in the first North American clinic to perform the procedure. The Maple Leaf HIFU clinic has performed more procedures than any other North American HIFU clinic and is staffed by specially trained Urologists. Located in the Cleveland Clinic Canada in downtown Toronto, they have successfully performed over 700 procedures since they opened in 2005.
The Medical Director of the HIFU clinic is Dr. William Orovan, a Urological Surgeon with over 30 years' experience. Other top urologists at the clinic include Dr. Bobby Shayegan, Dr. Edward Woods and Dr. Magdy Hassouna. The clinic is staffed with certified nurses and experienced anesthesiologists, and treats patients from all across North America.
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