Maple Leaf HIFU Co. offers Ablatherm High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for localized prostate cancer.
During the procedure, a probe is placed into the rectum after spinal or epidural anesthesia has been administered. This probe emits a beam of high intensity focused ultrasound. At the point where the ultrasound is focused the sudden and intense absorption of the ultrasound beam raises the temperature which destroys targeted cells. The area destroyed by each beam is very small and precise.
By repeating the process and moving the focal point it is possible to destroy the prostate tissue. The treatment takes from 1 to 3 hours depending upon the size of the prostate and is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
More than 85% of patients will have normal erections after treatment, markedly better than cryotherapy or surgery.