Prostate Ultrasound Procedures
Ultrasound technology has many uses in the medical field, and prostate cancer patients can benefit from ultrasound techniques during both the diagnostic and treatment stages of their disease. Learning the benefits and risks of these procedures will help a patient and his physicians make informed decisions as they pursue prostate cancer treatment options.
Transrectal Ultrasound
Transrectal ultrasound is a prostate cancer diagnostic technique. The procedure takes 5 to 15 minutes and is done on an outpatient basis. It involves the use of a small, lubricated probe inserted into the rectum to deliver sound waves into the prostate gland. The waves create echoes in the prostate tumor, which are recorded by a computer. The computer shows the resulting images on an imaging screen. Because prostate tumors create different echoes than normal prostate tissue, doctors use these images to locate and measure prostate cancer tumors.
The Transrectal Ultrasound Procedure
Before receiving a transrectal ultrasound, most patients will be given an enema to remove all feces and gas from the bowels. The patient will lie on his left side for the procedure, and the technician will gently insert the probe into the rectum, which can be uncomfortable but typically does not cause tremendous pain. The technician will guide the probe around the rectum to gather images of the entire prostate gland, measure the gland and measure any tumors it contains. There is no recovery time for this procedure, nor does it typically cause side effects.
HIFU
HIFU, or high intensity focused ultrasound, uses ultrasound technology to treat prostate cancer. This procedure involves the use of high intensity ultrasound waves delivered into the prostate gland through the rectum. These waves quickly heat the prostate gland, destroying all tissue it contains, including the cancerous cells. The physician uses the same transducer that delivers the treatment to capture ultrasound images of the gland during treatment, allowing for the treatment to be tailored as the patient's body responds.
The HIFU Procedure
HIFU is performed under general or spinal anesthesia, depending on the treatment delivery device chosen. The treatment is delivered through the rectum, but patients feel no pain or discomfort because of the anesthetic. Treatment begins as the physician gathers images of the prostate gland and plans the treatment delivery. Then, using the same transducer that gathered the images, the physician will send the ultrasound waves into the prostate gland. After two to three hours, the gland is destroyed and the patient is sent to recovery. Most patients are able to leave the treatment center the same day they received the treatment.
Risks and Recovery
HIFU does carry a few risks, but greatly lowers the percentage of patients who experience side effects. Incontinence is possible, but less than 2 percent of patients have this problem after HIFU according to the Prostate Cancer Research Institute. Impotence rates are 28 to 30 percent. Other common side effects of traditional prostate cancer treatments, including bowel discomfort, bleeding and urgency, are eliminated with HIFU. Most patients will wear a catheter for two weeks after treatment to allow the bladder to drain effectively while the area heals, but otherwise patients return to their normal lifestyles within days of treatment.
Getting HIFU Treatment
As of 2009, HIFU treatment is only in clinic trial stages in the United States. Patients who wish to pursue this treatment option need to discuss it with a doctor. Some can travel outside of the United States to approved treatment facilities to receive HIFU treatment. Others may be able to participate in clinical trials in the United States. Several American physicians, such as Dr. Scionti of the HIFU Care Center, regularly travel to international HIFU treatment centers to treat qualifying patients.
Tags: prostate cancer, prostate gland, into prostate, into prostate gland, side effects
