Focal Therapy

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) - Prostate Cancer Treatment

Overview of HIFU

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment option for patients with localised prostate cancer.
By focusing high-intensity ultrasound waves on targeted areas of the prostate, HIFU aims to destroy cancerous tissues while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
This treatment offers an alternative to more aggressive therapies, such as radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy, and is particularly suited for patients seeking effective cancer control with fewer side effects.
This page provides an overview of the latest research findings on HIFU, highlighting its effectiveness, safety, and potential as a standard treatment option for prostate cancer.

Interested in starting a focal therapy programme in your hospital and region?

A letter to new and potential focal therapy clinicians from Professor Ahmed, Chair of Focal Therapy UK.

Use of HIFU as a Prostate Cancer Treatment

A summary, compiled jointly with Professor Hashim Ahmed of Imperial College.

Please have a read of our overview, and click here to download a PDF summary for more information.

What is HIFU treatment?

HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a non-invasive prostate cancer treatment that uses targeted ultrasound waves to destroy cancer cells. This Focal Therapy minimises damage to surrounding tissues, reducing the risk of any potential side effects.

Why is it gaining traction?

HIFU is gaining traction as more younger men, concerned about impotence and incontinence risks, seek safer alternatives. A Consultant Radiologist noted, "The demand for Focal Therapy treatments will explode in the next 10 years" due to these growing concerns.

Support and Fundraising

If you believe you could assist in fundraising to expand these facilities to the Midlands and the North, matching the advanced services available in the South, please contact Graham Fulford at grahamfulford47@gmail.com or call 07831 156071.

We also have access to some powerful films on the subject which you can find at the bottom of this page.

Recent Research Papers on HIFU

Cancer Control Outcomes Following Focal Therapy Using High-intensity Focused Ultrasound in 1379 Men with Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer: A Multi-institute 15-year Experience

Reddy et. al. (2022)

This study analysed the outcomes of 1,379 men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer treated with focal HIFU across 13 UK centres over 15 years. The findings indicate that focal HIFU provides effective cancer control, with a 69% failure-free survival (FFS) rate at seven years, particularly in patients with intermediate-risk and high-risk disease. The treatment showed a low incidence of severe complications (0.5%), reinforcing its role as a viable alternative to radical treatments. The study highlights HIFU’s ability to maintain cancer control while minimising side effects, though long-term data is still needed to fully establish its efficacy (Reddy et. al.).

Focal High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of the Prostate

Abrams et. al. (2021)

This paper provides an overview of the focal HIFU treatment for localised prostate cancer using the Sonablate system. It emphasizes the benefits of focal or hemiablation for men with localised lesions, particularly Gleason 3+4, as a way to balance effective cancer control while minimising side effects like erectile dysfunction. The study explains that HIFU uses focused ultrasound waves to destroy cancerous tissue through heat and cavitation, sparing healthy tissue. While acknowledging that HIFU may not be suitable for high-risk Gleason 4+3 patients, the authors advocate for its use as an extension of active surveillance rather than a definitive treatment, pending further research on long-term outcomes (Abrams et. al.).

Medium-term oncological outcomes in a large cohort of men treated with either focal or hemi-ablation using high-intensity focused ultrasonography for primary localized prostate cancer 

Stabile et. al. (2019)

This study evaluated the medium-term outcomes of 1,032 men treated with focal or hemi-ablation using HIFU for primary localised prostate cancer across two centres in the UK. With a median follow-up of 36 months, the results showed promising cancer control, with overall survival rates of 97% at 60 and 96 months. The study also reported freedom from biopsy failure of 84% at 24 months, decreasing to 54% at 96 months. Notably, 85% of patients were free from further treatment at 24 months, with freedom from radical treatment being 91% at five years. The findings indicate that HIFU is an effective treatment with reduced side effects and re-treatment rates over time​ (Stabile et. al.).

Focal High-intensity Focussed Ultrasound Partial Gland Ablation for the Treatment of Localised Prostate Cancer: A Report of Medium-term Outcomes From a Single-center in the United Kingdom

Johnston et. al. (2019)

This report from a single centre in the UK presents medium-term outcomes of 107 men treated with focal HIFU for localised prostate cancer. With a median follow-up of 30 months, the study showed that HIFU effectively reduced PSA levels by 71% on average, with only 11% of patients requiring additional treatments. The treatment demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with low rates of incontinence (1%) and erectile dysfunction (14%). The study supports focal HIFU as a less morbid alternative to radical therapies, providing acceptable oncological control with minimal side effects (Johnston et. al.).

Prostate Cancer Awareness

Please have a watch of these powerful videos by Prost8 UK, raising awareness for the importance of prostate screening.

Paul's Story - Prostate Cancer and Better Treatments

HIFU for Prostate Cancer - Animation Video

Prost8 - 1 in 8 Fundraiser

Prof. Hashim Ahmed speaks about Focal Therapy options in the treatment of prostate cancer

Prost8 Founder on The Monica Price Show

Paul's Story - Prostate Cancer and Better Treatments (full version)