Use of high intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of both benign and malignant prostatic disease

One of the treatment options for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer is high intensity focused ultrasound therapy (HIFU). HIFU therapy is a relatively new treatment modality and is being applied transrectally for the treatment of both benign prostatic hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma of the prostate. HIFU is generated by high power acoustic transducers, which produce focused ultrasound waves that generate high temperatures to achieve coagulative necrosis of the target tissue. An attractive advantage of HIFU is its low risk of morbidity, due to the sudden short bursts of the intensely focused ultrasound, which along with the heat generated, are quickly absorbed by the target tissue, thereby protecting the surrounding tissues from damage.