Treating Prostate Cancer with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)

The American Cancer Society estimates that nearly 1 in 8 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. But there’s good news: Prostate cancer is highly curable when detected and treated early. At AdventHealth, we’re dedicated to providing the most effective prevention and treatment methods to help you reclaim your life.

Keep reading to learn from one of our AdventHealth Celebration urologists, Marcio Covas Moschovas, MD, PhD, about high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer, including how it works, its risks and benefits, and who is a good candidate for HIFU.

Understanding High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Treatment

You can feel confident in your care knowing that our providers are using highly effective equipment for focal prostate ablations.

“High-intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, is a minimally invasive treatment for select patients with localized prostate cancer,” says Dr. Moschovas. “It uses high-energy ultrasound waves precisely focused on the cancer to destroy tumor tissue, without surgery, radiation or incisions. Using advanced imaging for planning and real-time guidance, we’re able to deliver energy with remarkable accuracy, targeting the cancer while preserving healthy prostate tissue.”

How HIFU Works

After being placed under general anesthesia, your doctor guides a probe through your rectum toward the cancerous area and captures real-time 3D imaging of your prostate. Once they have clear visibility, they can deliver direct ultrasound energy to the affected area through the probe, leaving everything else untouched. Think of it like using a magnifying glass that focuses ultrasound waves into a beam. The scope's sound energy intensity can be adjusted based on each patient's tumor size.

“The ultrasound energy rapidly heats the treated area, eliminating cancer cells while minimizing impact on surrounding structures that control urinary and sexual function,” explains Dr. Moschovas. “In most cases, HIFU is performed as focal therapy, meaning we treat only the cancer area, not the entire prostate, offering a personalized approach to your cancer treatment. With this approach, it’s important to note that the other side of the prostate (the side not treated) can also have microscopic cancer cells, which will be assessed on follow-up imaging exams after the procedure.”

Most men can be treated with same-day admission or an overnight stay. HIFU treatment can be administered alone or as part of a broader treatment plan for your cancer care. It’s crucial to discuss this therapy with your doctor to see if it's right for you.

HIFU Treatment Benefits, Risks and Candidacy

Benefits

We know that when you’re considering cancer treatment, you may feel some hesitation, but we’re here to put your mind at ease. Although surgery and radiation remain the gold-standard treatment for prostate cancer, HIFU treatment comes with potential benefits for select patients:

• Fast recovery after the procedure
• Lower risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction
• Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
• No incisions or radiation exposure

“While HIFU is newer in the U.S., it’s been used internationally for more than 15 years, with strong safety and effectiveness data,” explains Dr. Moschovas. “What reassures most patients is knowing that HIFU is offered only to select individuals. Surgery and radiation therapy remain the gold standard for prostate cancer treatment. Patients are closely followed after treatment, with PSA testing and advanced imaging to ensure long-term control. Most importantly, HIFU is part of a shared decision-making process, and patients are educated about all available treatment options before choosing what’s right for them.”

Risks

“For properly selected patients, HIFU offers an excellent balance between effective cancer treatment and quality of life,” claims Dr. Moschovas. However, as with any medical treatment, there are risks associated with HIFU that should be discussed with your doctor.

Candidates

“Every patient is unique, and that’s why candidacy for HIFU is determined through a comprehensive evaluation, including PSA, MRI, biopsy results and individual goals,” explains Dr. Moschovas. Candidacy for HIFU treatment includes:

• A desire to minimize side effects while still treating cancer
• Cancer that’s clearly identified on MRI and prostate biopsy
• Those with localized prostate cancer
• Low or selected intermediate-risk disease patients

Talk with your doctor to determine if HIFU treatment is right for your case.

HIFU Recovery, Success Rate and Effectiveness

“Recovery after HIFU is typically quick and manageable,” states Dr. Moschovas. Most patients:

• Experience gradual improvement in urinary symptoms
• Go home the same day
• Maintain urinary control and sexual function in most cases
• Return to normal activities within a few days

For the right patient, HIFU treatment can be highly effective. “Unlike traditional treatments that affect the entire prostate, HIFU focuses on precision and personalization, which allows many men to maintain continence and sexual function while still achieving meaningful cancer control,” says Dr. Moschovas. “If additional treatment is needed, options such as repeat focal therapy, surgery or radiation remain available. Your doctor should discuss possible outcomes with you before you begin any treatment.”

When asked about the success rate of HIFU treatment, Dr. Moschovas said, “Studies show cancer control in treated areas, with success rates often ranging between 50 – 85% at five years, depending on cancer risk, tumor volume and treatment strategy.”

Finding Prostate Cancer Treatment That’s Right for You

“Prostate cancer treatment is no longer one-size-fits-all,” says Dr. Moschovas. “HIFU represents a modern, patient-centered approach that prioritizes both cancer control and quality of life. When used in the right patient, at the right time, by an experienced team, it offers an additional option for men seeking treatment with fewer long-term side effects.”

Navigating a prostate cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At AdventHealth, we’re committed to using leading-edge treatments to help you heal and get back to feeling your best. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Moschovas, or learn more about our prostate cancer care and how we can help you feel whole.