Micrograph of prostatic adenocarcinoma, the most common form of prostate cancer.Â
A HIFU specialist is required if you are contemplating early intervention for your prostate cancer. HIFU has become more of a topic of interest over the last couple of weeks or so and articles about HIFU have appeared in the Daily Mail amongst other press. There has been much discussion about HIFU, its side effects, whether it is effective but this latest discussion in the Daily Mail seems to be preying on the fears of prostate cancer patients.
HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a method of destroying cancerous prostate tissue and a recent study found that men treated with HIFUÂ had a 95% chance of being cured from the disease. It is always a dilemma for men with early stage prostate cancer as they can live for many years without their disease getting worse whereas treatments could have side effects. Traditionally, the open radical prostatectomy operation to remove the prostate surgically could lead to erectile and urinary problems post operatively. HIFU enables men to have early intervention with a better quality of life and less chance of post-operative problems occurring.
HIFU therapy is able to target the exact areas of disease within the prostate using MRI and mapping biopsies of which Mr Harriss, a HIFU specialist,  can arrange both at the BMI Park Hospital in Nottingham. Mr Harriss understands the value of MRI scanning and offers this to all his patients who have prostate cancer or are considering a template biopsy.  This approach is much more accurate than the traditional blind biopsy technique and allows men to have more certainty over the nature of their cancer which is important for desicion making.  Mr Harriss is excited by the interest in HIFU and has been performing this treatment for several years thereby reducing the side effects of prostate cancer treatment.
Indeed, Mr Harriss has a high continence rate for his patients post-operatively which is reassuring. In addition to this, NICE have now recognised HIFU as a treatment for early prostate cancer and have supplied information for anyone seeking more information about the treatment.
Having a HIFU specialist perform this beneficial treatment can be easy to arrange and have a marked positive impact on your life.
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