High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a treatment option for patients with localized prostate cancer, where the tumor is still confined to the organ and has not spread to other areas of the body. HIFU therapy is a minimally invasive, radiation-free, outpatient procedure where precise ultrasound waves target and destroy the effected prostate tissue by heating them to 195-degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 seconds, leaving the healthy area around the target unharmed. HIFU treatments only last a few hours, and a catheter is usually worn for one to four weeks post-procedure. Patients are able to return to normal activity in a short amount of time. Some side effects may include frequent and urgent urination, mild discomfort, or discharge.
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