High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
High intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, uses ultrasound beams to generate heat, destroying areas of the prostate containing cancer cells. It is usually only given to men with early-stage prostate cancer.
The treatment can be given to the whole prostate if you have several tumours or given to a small area of the prostate. Both methods are done under a general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic.
During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is gently passed into the back passage (rectum). The probe is surrounded by a cooling balloon to protect your back passage from the heat. As well as generating heat, the probe also produces ultrasound images of the prostate. This helps your doctor see the tumour(s) more clearly.
HIFU is a specialised technique and is not available in all hospitals. In some countries, HIFU may be available as part of a clinical trial.
A HIFU kezelés
Early-stage prostate cancer: Early stage cancer means your cancer is Stage 1 or Stage 2. This means the tumour is contained, or “localised” in your prostate.
General anaesthetic: A general anaesthetic is a controlled way of forcing you to fall asleep, so you are unaware of the procedure being done.
Spinal anaesthetic: A spinal anaesthetic numbs the lower half of your body, so you will not be able to feel anything during the procedure.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy involves having thin needles inserted into the prostate through the skin between the testicles and the back passage (rectum). Once in place, gas is passed through the needles and freezes the tumour(s), destroying the cancer cells inside. It is usually only given to men with early-stage prostate cancer.
The treatment can be given to the whole prostate if you have several tumours or given to a small area of the prostate. Both methods are done under a general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic.
During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is gently passed into the back passage. The probe produces ultrasound images of the prostate to help your doctor see the tumour(s) more clearly and make sure the needles are inserted correctly.
Cryotherapy is a specialised technique and is not available in all hospitals. In some countries, cryotherapy may be available as part of a clinical trial.
Krioterápia
