MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper is now offering a new, non-invasive option for prostate cancer patients by becoming one of the first health systems in Southern New Jersey to provide robotic high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedures.
This innovative, outpatient treatment uses precisely targeted ultrasound waves to heat and eliminate diseased prostate tissue. By focusing these waves on the affected area, HIFU generates localized heating (ablation) that destroys cancer cells within the prostate gland while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. The procedure involves no incision, no radiation, and no scarring.
“We are excited to offer HIFU as a treatment option to certain patients with prostate cancer,” Dr. Jeffrey Tomaszewski, head of the Division of Urology and director of Genitourinary Oncology at MD Anderson at Cooper, said. “A recent publication evaluating this approach makes us confident in HIFU as a treatment option, with outcomes that can preserve men’s urinary continence and erectile function.”
Preserving quality of life
The introduction of HIFU is particularly significant for patients seeking to minimize the side effects often associated with traditional treatments. A large, prospective study involving over 3,000 patients across 46 medical centers found that HIFU provides comparable cancer control to surgery while significantly reducing the risk of common side effects, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Because the robotic HIFU platforms allow physicians to precisely target only the affected portion of the prostate, the treatment prioritizes maintaining the patient’s quality of life.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and typically requires only one treatment session. Most patients who undergo this non-invasive approach experience minimal disruption to daily activities and benefit from a faster return to normal life compared to traditional surgery.
