Prostate cancer will effect one in seven men throughout their lifetime. Traditional treatments have included chemotherapy, radiation, surgery (radical prostatectomy) or “watchful waiting” – all of which can carry significant risk of side effects such as impotence, incontinence, pain and erectile dysfunction.
But now, men have an alternative for prostate cancer treatment– HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound). HIFU uses therapeutic ultrasound waves that pass harmlessly through intervening tissue while destroying targeted cancer cells. There is no cutting involved and, hence, no bleeding or “scatter-effect” into healthy tissue.
Dr. George Suarez, known as the pioneer of HIFU and director of the International HIFU Centers, has dedicated a portion of his career and life advocating for the FDA approval of HIFU in the U.S. after successfully performing it overseas for more than a decade. In October of 2015, HIFU became approved in the United States after a positive study led by Dr. Suarez showed a 95.4% decrease in PSA levels from baseline signifying a successful ablation of the prostate cancer cells. In addition, Dr. Suarez noted a significant decrease in the risk of impotence, from 80% to 2%, and incontinence, from 20% to a mere 0.4%.“From the very beginning since designing the FDA trial protocols, I never doubted that HIFU would become the new standard of care for the way we successfully treat prostate cancer while still preserving the lives – and dignity – of men,” said Suarez.
Dr. Suarez is passionate about HIFU because he has seen, first-hand, the advantages the procedure offers including:
– The ability to successfully treat prostate cancer in one day via a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure.
– Minimal risk of urinary or sexual side effects
– The ability to utilize HIFU as a first line of treatment AND a salvage therapy for cancer recurrence
– An up to 95% decrease in PSA levels with up to 10 years of no cancer recurrence
And now health care providers throughout Florida can offer their patients this same-day treatment in a sustainable economic framework through mobile, proctored HIFU services provided by International HIFU Center (IHC).
IHC will provide on-site proctors, trainers and technicians who are specially trained and certified in the application of HIFU throughout the duration of the session. As well, they will oversee the management of all billing and collection of patient fees, including payment to the facility and/or physician at the time of service. In addition, IHC will transport and allow on-site use of the Sonablate 500 to perform the HIFU procedure.
“Having changed the culture of how we treat the most common cancer in men and having the opportunity to impact the entire community of urologists around the world is deeply gratifying,” said Suarez. “But more importantly, we can now provide an effective treatment that offers a cure without compromising quality of life for men.”
