High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU):

• HIFU. This is a new technique for treating prostate cancer. Ultrasound has been used for medical imaging for many years, but recently the technology has been developed so that it can be used for treatment as well as diagnosis.
• HIFU is a non-invasive acoustic ablation technique.
• Acoustic ablation uses intersecting, tightly-focused ultrasound waves to raise the temperature of the target tissue to more than 80-90 degrees Celsius in two to three seconds, effectively destroying the tissue.
• Ultrasound energy is non-ionizing "clean energy" that does not affect tissue surrounding the target zone, as opposed to radiation therapies.
• HIFU treatment in approved countries can be given in one to three hours on an outpatient basis overnight stay with general or epidural anesthesia.
• HIFU is being studied around the world to treat all types of cancer and soft tissue diseases.