I would like to take a moment share with you some exciting news regarding HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound), a non-invasive prostate cancer treatment that is finally available for men in the US.

I am thrilled to announce that after 11 years of clinical trials, the FDA recently cleared the SonaCare Sonablate® device for HIFU treatment in the US. Shortly thereafter, the FDA also cleared the EDAP Ablatherm® device for prostate treatments.

One of the very first Sonacare Sonablate® devices in the country has been installed in Sarasota, FL and is ready for action! We plan to start treating prostate cancer patients here the week after Thanksgiving.

I have been treating prostate cancer patients with HIFU for many years now with excellent oncologic outcomes and minimal side effects. I am proud to be one of only a handful of specialists in the country with extensive training and experience treating patients with HIFU using the SonaCare Sonablate® device.

HIFU is a precise, non-invasive procedure in which controlled thermal energy is delivered through a rectal ultrasound probe into the prostate. It is an appealing treatment alternative to surgery and radiation with excellent oncologic outcomes and significantly reduced treatment-related side effects.

Despite its relative obscurity here in the US, HIFU has actually been the treatment of choice for localized prostate cancer in several countries around the world and has been performed on over 50,000 men since the early 1990’s. Numerous long-term studies, with 10-year and 15-year data, have documented excellent oncologic outcomes with HIFU equivalent to most surgery and radiation therapy data on a stage for stage basis. These studies also demonstrated excellent safety data with minimal side effects.

With HIFU, we can perform focal therapy in which only areas within the prostate with cancer are treated. Some refer to this as a ‘male lumpectomy.’ The treatment is accurately directed to cancer within the prostate while avoiding important structures such as the neurovascular bundle, urinary sphincter and ejaculatory ducts. This helps minimize treatment-related side effects that are common with traditional treatment options.

Compared to surgery and radiation, men who undergo HIFU typically have:

  • Significantly reduced erectile dysfunction
  • No incontinence
  • Preserved ejaculatory function (if focal therapy is performed)
  • No radiation effects to the bladder or rectum
  • No pain or blood loss
  • Fast recovery so men can quickly return to their normal life

I also proudly offer advanced prostate cancer diagnostics utilizing serum-based and tissue-based biomarkers, 3T Multiparametric Prostate MRI and targeted biopsy with MRI/Ultrasound 3-D Fusion Technology.

Fusion biopsy involves merging prostate MRI images with prostate ultrasound to enable real-time visualization and targeting of areas of abnormality. This enables a precise, targeted biopsy of suspicious areas within the prostate rather than the blind, random approach of conventional TRUS prostate biopsy. Several large prospective trials have demonstrated at least 30% improvement in detection of high-risk cancers over standard biopsy techniques.

My mission is to provide top-notch, individualized care to men with prostate cancer using state-of-the art technology to optimize oncologic outcomes and preserve quality of life.

Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer?

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