The goal of prostate cancer treatment is no longer surprising

Modern Robotic Treatment Method: HIFU

HIFU, known as the robotic, minimally invasive treatment for non-metastatic prostate cancer, is one of the most significant tumor-focused treatments of recent years… Day by day, we witness new developments in the field of cancer treatments. Especially in recent years, while scientists have been focusing on tumor-targeted treatments, robotic surgery has also made tremendous progress in this direction. HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound), known as the robotic, minimally invasive treatment for non-metastatic prostate cancer, is one of the best examples of this approach...

How Does ”Hifu" Work?

As is known, high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) are used in medicine for imaging organs. When the sound waves produced by the ultrasound probe are transmitted into tissue, a portion of them is absorbed and another portion is reflected back, depending on the properties of the tissue. The reflected sound waves are also analyzed and converted into an image. Sound waves generate heat as they pass through tissues. In diagnostic ultrasound, since the sound waves are not focused at a single point, this heat is not significant enough to be considered. However, if the sound is focused at a single point and its power is increased, the temperature at the focal point also rises. For example, this temperature can be increased to 85-100 degrees. Thus, the focal point is burned and destroyed due to the high heat. Therefore, the only burned area is the focal point. No burning occurs in the areas through which the sound passes.

This technology is also used to destroy cancerous tissue. In the treatment of prostate cancer with the HIFU technique, the prostate is evaluated first with an instrument inserted through the large intestine (anus) (probe) and the places to be burned are determined with the help of a computer program. HIFU is a method performed under general or spinal anesthesia and through the rectum. Thanks to a probe specifically placed in the rectum, high-powered ultrasound waves are emitted under computer control by focusing on predetermined points. As a result of the sudden and powerful absorption of the waves, there is an instantaneous temperature increase in the targeted area (85 to 100°C), thereby destroying the cells in the target region. We can say that with each shot fired at the target area, damage is inflicted within an oval-shaped area measuring 22 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter. Through the repetition of shots and the computer-controlled adjustment of the focus point between each shot by the robot, it becomes possible to destroy all cancerous areas.

• European Association of Urology. EAU Guidelines on Prostate Cancer.

• American Urological Association. Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Guideline.

• National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Prostate Cancer.

• World Health Organization. Cancer Fact Sheets – Prostate Cancer.

• Crouzet S. et al. High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate cancer: outcomes and future perspectives. Nature Reviews Urology.