Treating Prostate Cancer with HIFU

 Treating Prostate Cancer with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Treatment

A diagnosis of prostate cancer can be rather devastating. Over the last decade, there has been plenty of scientific research conducted in finding out and utilising different treatment options for prostate cancer. Of these, high intensity focused ultrasound treatment, also called HIFU, is a specialised yet minimally invasive technique utilising the treatment of prostate cancer. In this article, we shall take a brief look at HIFU as a therapeutic strategy.

The principle of HIFU

HIFU utilises ultrasound waves that are emitted at a high frequency and targeted at the cancerous prostate cells with the goal of destroying them. The ultrasound waves generate heat within the cells and coagulate the different proteins, causing the cells to die. In addition, the coagulation process also causes rupture of the cells due to a build-up in intracellular pressure. In combination, these two effects are responsible for the death of the cancer cells.

The procedure

The procedure is performed in a controlled setting in a hospital environment. Under close supervision by a healthcare professional, ultrasound waves are directed towards the prostate gland using special devices. According to the response, the intensity of the ultrasound waves may be changed, with the levels remaining high at all times. Attached to the probe is not just the ultrasound device but also a camera that helps the doctor visualise the prostate gland during the treatment.
The entire procedure takes anywhere between 2 to 3 hours to perform. Once the procedure has concluded, the patient is observed for a period of time and is then discharged home the day after. There are rarely any complications and patients tend to tolerate the procedure extremely well. It is for this reason that HIFU is now becoming a more commonly performed procedure and tends to be the preferred way of managing prostate cancer in many centres.

Benefits of HIFU

The primary benefit of HIFU is that the number of complications associated with it is minimal. There is no damage done to the neighbouring structures and the patient’s sexual performance is unaffected. Of course, HIFU treatment means that patients do not need to undergo open surgery to treat prostate cancer and this can avoid a number of different complications that can arise from it. There is no danger of radiation either. In most cases, the cancer cells are destroyed though in some cases patients may require a repeat HIFU in conjunction with radiotherapy and surgical removal of the prostate.

Cost of the procedure

Currently, HIFU is not being offered in many centres across the United States. In fact, finding a centre that will perform it is rare and at the centres that do perform HIFU, the costs are extremely high. There is no doubt that the outcome of HIFU is excellent for the patient’s and therefore it does not come as a surprise that more and more people are now travelling to places such as Poland where this treatment is offered at the same standard at a significantly lower cost.
In conclusion, HIFU is an effective way of treating prostate cancer that is minimally invasive and almost risk-free.

Tracy McManamon on Google+

How to Decide if Medical Travel is Right for You

Traveling abroad in search of medical treatment is a trend that has grown progressively over the last few years.

A decade ago, making trips into foreign countries for the sake of medical care was a luxury of the rich. These are the people who had the financial capacity to arrange for air-travel, accommodation and pay for their treatment no matter how expensive it was. Over time, this has changed and now, it is possible for people in many different financial situations to access quality treatment abroad.

There are several factors that have contributed to this positive change towards greater accessibility of medical treatment abroad. Different countries across the globe have established themselves as centers of excellence in terms of delivery of quality healthcare. Some of them are countries that ten or twenty years ago were not considered choice locations in which to treatment.

However, they have risen in rank by building top quality world-class facilities, making use of the latest technological advancements in the field of medicine and dentistry and by acquiring medical personnel that have been expertly trained in some of the best institutions in the world, including in most cases some prestigious U.S. medical and dental institutions.

Secondly, travelling abroad is now much easier thanks to the affordability of air-travel. Airlines have expanded their destinations and flights and as a result of competition in the market, they all strive to offer the most attractive and affordable rates for the consumer.

Another significant factor that continues to propel more and more people into embracing medical tourism is the increasing cost of medical treatment at home while the quality of care deteriorates and waiting lines for treatment continue to grow. Moreover, people who esteem their privacy would prefer to undergo treatment away from home and familiar surroundings. Similarly, receiving treatment far from home has the advantage of allowing adequate time for recuperation away from the demands of everyday life at home. So, in light of all these factors, it is becoming increasingly popular to travel abroad for hip and knee replacements, dental treatment, bariatric surgery and prostate cancer treatment such as the High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) procedure.

The appeal that medical tourism has to offer should not overshadow the reasoning as to whether it is right for you or not. Travelling overseas still places a certain level of demand on the patient; it is a foreign country, the language spoken there may be different, the intricacies of air travel. The following are questions to help you weigh the options and decide what is appropriate for you.

Am I strong enough to travel?

The state of your health should help you determine if your body can handle travelling, especially a long-distance. Simple procedures like dental implants may not stress the body any further but major treatment like a hip replacement may require more care while travelling. There is a need to find out whether you will be well enough to travel back home after treatment. A helpful approach would be to travel to destinations closer home when seeking treatment that will require multiple trips. In case you need expert advice, consult a physician at home to help you assess if you are well enough to travel.

Does my schedule allow for flexibility?

It is important to make sure that there is room to alter your schedule to incorporate the demands of treatment, which could mean a longer hospital stay, and some rehab if necessary.

Is it possible to have someone travel with me?

It is always better to be accompanied by someone when travelling overseas for treatment. Although this will increase the cost to some degree, it is of great benefit to the patient to have a companion.

Am I financially prepared to pay for the treatment?

Many of the U.S. health insurance carriers will not readily cover elective procedures abroad. In some cases financing is available but not always, so patients should be financially prepared.

Can I find time to do some research?

This is a very important step because it helps you identify the right country of destination and the right facility that will provide treatment catered to your specific needs. It requires searching for information that provides an evaluation of the facility’s performance before setting out on your trip abroad.


Tracy McManamon on Google+