Description:
Cancer of the prostate gland may cause it to enlarge, resulting in symptoms such as difficulty in urinating, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer. Current treatments for localised prostate cancer include watchful waiting, radiotherapy, and radical prostatectomy. Metastatic prostate cancer is usually treated with hormone therapy.
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate cancer is carried out under a spinal or general anaesthetic. With the patient lying on his right side, an endorectal probe incorporating an ultrasound scanner and a HIFU treatment applicator is inserted. This allows the target area to be monitored and defined before being treated. The probe emits a beam of ultrasound, which is focused to reach a high intensity in the target area. Absorption of the ultrasound energy creates an increase in temperature, which destroys the tissue within the focal area. A cooling balloon surrounding the probe protects the rectal mucosa from the high temperature. A urethral or suprapubic catheter is used after the procedure.
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