Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Cancer

The information below is provided for general information purposes only and is not intended to replace sound professional medical advice and care. All treatment options and potential outcomes and complications should be discussed with a qualified healthcare provider.

Prostate Cancer

1. What is the prostate?

2. What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 230,900 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. Before the introduction of the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test 75% of prostate cancer patients were diagnosed in the later, incurable stages, now only about 25% of newly diagnosed cases are advanced cancer.

3. Where does prostate cancer spread?

As the prostate grows, it grows through the prostate, the prostate capsule and the fat that surround the prostate. It can also grow into the base of the bladder and into the seminal vesicles which are located adjacent to the prostate. The spread of cancer is known as metastasis. When cancer spreads outside of the capsule it usually goes to either the lymph nodes or the bones.

4. What options do I have for treating prostate cancer?

There are a number of different options for how prostate cancer can be treated, each has its own risks and benefits. Patients should discuss all possible treatment options with their physician and pursue multiple professional opinions to decide which option is right.

5. Why are regular prostate check ups important?

Early prostate cancer has very symptoms, so it can only be found through routine screening. As men get older, especially over the age of 50, it is very important to be tested and to identify any abnormalities. Not all prostate problems are cancer, but prostate cancer is the most serious problem. Some prostate cancers are small and/or slow and do not progress beyond the prostate gland. Some are more aggressive and advanced. Treatment is more successful if it is begun when the cancer is still small and has not spread beyond the prostate gland.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH):

1. What is BPH?

BPH, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is an enlargement of the prostate that is common in men over the age of 50. It is not cancer and is not malignant. If the prostate gets too big it can put pressure on the urethra and bladder, causing problems with urination.

2. Can BPH be treated with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)?

Absolutely. In countries where HIFU is approved outside of the US, the Sonablate® 500 is an acoustic ablation device that is used for the treatment of BPH and prostate cancer. It is a non invasive procedure that can be done usually in one hour for most BPH cases. Several studies have been published on results of using HIFU to treat BPH. You can read more by visiting the clinical data section. Learn more.

HIFU & The Sonablate® 500:

1. What is the history of HIFU and how long has it been done?

Research on HIFU began in the 1950s at Indiana University. In 1994, the first human prostate cancer study was done by Dr. Marberger and Madersbacher at the Univ. of Vienna in Austria using the now Sonablate^® 200, treating 29 human prostates in vivo shortly before performing a radical prostatectomy. The goal was to see if the energy delivered was enough to destroy the desired tissue. The study found that treatment could be performed safely and could be repeated. In 1995, a study done at IU showed that the whole prostate could be treated without damaging the prostate capsule or the rectal wall. In 1999, Dr. Toyaki Uchida began treating patients using the Sonablate^® 200. In 2001, the Sonablate^® 500 receives CE mark from Europe and the first patient in the study was treated at IU by Dr. M. Koch. In 2004, USHIFU was created and has worked with doctors to make HIFU available in Argentina, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Africa and the Caribbean. Currently there are nearly 100 Sonablate^® 500 HIFU centers worldwide on six continents. There are over 150 physicians using the Sonablate^® 500 worldwide and over 6,000 total procedures have been completed with the Sonablate^®.

2. Where can I find HIFU data and statistics?

To read clinical papers, abstracts and data visit our clinical data section where you can download the latest published data and reports. Learn more about the Benefits of HIFU with the Sonablate^® 500.

3. Does HIFU only treat the cancerous cells or does it ablate the entire prostate?

HIFU treats the entire prostate by targeting tissue in six overlapping treatment zones. The tissue is heated rapidly in small lesions until eventually the entire prostate is ablated.

4. If the entire prostate is treated, does that include the urethra? What happens to the urethra? Is it damaged?

The urethra is derived from a different type of tissue (bladder squamous-type epithelium) rather than prostatic tissue (glandualr, fibrotic and muscular). While the urethra is an important anatomical structure, the sphincter and bladder neck are more important in maintaining urinary function. During HIFU, the sphincter and the bladder neck are identified and avoided.

Treatment & Travel:

1. Where can I have the treatment done?

HIFU with the Sonablate® 500 is not approved for use in the U.S. The Sonablate 500 remains investigational in the U.S. and is being studied for the treatment of prostate cancer in clinical trials in the U.S. FDA has made no decision as to the safety or efficacy of the Sonablate® 500 for the treatment of prostate cancer. Currently, the device is approved for the treatment of prostate cancer in Canada and the Dominican Republic, authorized in Argentina, and available in the Bahamas and Mexico.

2. How do I schedule treatment?

For more information about HIFU and its availability in countries where it is approved call 1-866-553-1629 or Click here for more details.

3. Is the procedure covered by insurance or Medicare?

Since the procedure is not yet approved by the FDA and is performed outside of the United States, US-based insurance companies and Medicare do not normally provide coverage for the treatment. However, patients may be able to receive reimbursements from their insurance companies by filing claims after the procedure.

You may be able to deduct HIFU as a medical expense on your taxes; for more information on deducting medical expenses visit www.irs.gov or consult with your accountant.

4. What information do you need from me prior to treatment?

When you make arrangements for treatment and schedule a date the HIFU medical team will send you information about how to prepare for the treatment. Find out if you qualify for HIFU- click here.

5. When is the next available treatment date?

Please call 1-866-553-1629 for an updated schedule or you can visit our calendar .

6. How long do I have to stay in the treatment location?

It is recommended that you arrive one day prior to your scheduled treatment day. Patients are usually comfortable to travel home within a day or two following treatment. Some patients prefer to arrive several days earlier in order to be comfortable and well rested in the location before treatment. Others stay additional days after having the treatment; travel preferences depend entirely on the individual and vary from patient to patient.

7. May I speak with a HIFU doctor or patient about the procedure and their experience?

Certainly. In fact, we encourage it. Call 1-866-553-1629 to arrange a consultation with a HIFU physician or if you would like to speak with someone who has already been treated with HIFU.