Minimally invasive procedure helps cancer patients maintain urinary and sexual function
March 21, 2024 – High intensity focused ultrasound, also known as HIFU, is being utilized by urologic oncologist(s) at The Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital to treat patients with prostate cancer.
HIFU, which is also used for patients with essential tremors, has proven successful results for prostate cancer patients in Europe over the past twenty years. It was first FDA approved for use in the United States in 2015. David A. Taub, M.D., director of urologic oncology and robotic urology has brought the newest iteration of this technology to the Boca Raton community to offer a less invasive approach to prostate cancer care when compared to traditional whole-gland treatments such as surgery or radiation.
Patients who meet specific criteria are able to undergo a one or two-hour outpatient procedure where HIFU will ablate only the cancerous area, importantly sparing normal prostate tissue. The ability to focus treatment precisely on only part of the prostate minimizes urinary and sexual side effects after the procedure. Following the procedure, patients are discharged with a catheter and return to the clinic days later for a follow-up. Within three months, the urologic oncologist along with the multidisciplinary team evaluates the patient’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) to assess treatment progress.
“As physicians, we are thrilled to evolve the treatment options we have for our patients, to ensure they can select what’s best for their individual lifestyle. This new option allows our patients to be treated less invasively resulting in less overall impact on their daily activities when compared to traditional treatment modalities”, shared Dr. Taub.
In prior prostate cancer patients, HIFU has allowed them to maintain sexual and urinary function, up to 95 percent. To learn more about this technology, feel free to visit.
The ability to offer HIFU treatment at Lynn Cancer Institute was made possible through a generous philanthropic gift from Rob and Pamela Sands – The Sands Family Foundation.
About Baptist Health
Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 12 hospitals, more than 27,000 employees, 4,000 physicians and 200 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned institutes specializing in cancer care, brain and spine care, heart and vascular care and orthopedic care. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group; Baptist Health Quality Network; and The Baptist Health PineApp, a virtual health platform. Baptist Health South Florida is an academic and clinical affiliate of Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to its faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and is the most awarded healthcare system in South Florida by U.S. News and World Report. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/Newsroom and connect with us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn.
