Frequently Asked Questions

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 This is a fundamentally important question. Some prostate cancers pose minimal risk to a man and can be managed with ACTIVE SURVEILLANCE. This means that treatment is reserved until there is evidence that prostate cancer has become concerning enough to need treatment. Dr. Jurige will review with you all of the characteristics of your prostate cancer and whether or not it needs prompt treatment. 

 Traditional treatments for prostate cancer are radical prostatectomy or whole gland radiation therapy. Cryotherapy, HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation), radiation seed implantation, Nanoknife ablation, and laser ablation are considered less invasive and are suitable options for many men with prostate cancer.

Yes. HIFU therapy can be administered using a transrectal approach or transurethral approach depending on such factors as location of the tumor, prostate size, and presence of benign prostate growth along with the cancerous tissue. Dr Jurige is highly experienced with both methods and has almost 20 years of experience and thousands of patients treated.

Yes. HIFU is an outpatient procedure performed under general anesthesia. A catheter for urinary drainage must be placed for a few days after the procedure. Once the catheter is removed at the physician’s office, patients may resume normal activities.

 Fortunately, significant side effects are very rare with HIFU treatment. Some patients require a longer period of time with the catheter due to prostate size or pre-existing difficulties with urinating. Urinary infection can occur and is kept to a minimum by short-term antibiotic usage. Bleeding is extremely rare with HIFU. Pain requiring prescription pain medication is extremely rare. 

Yes. In the event that cancer develops in an untreated area of the prostate, HIFU can easily be repeated. This occurs in about 10% of patients within 5 years of initial treatment. 

HIFU can also successfully be used in patients with cancer recurrence after radiation therapy in most cases. This is referred to as salvage HIFU.

Nanoknife therapy uses a technique called IRRESERVIBLE ELECTROPORATION to treat areas of prostate cancer. This technique is especially useful for prostate cancers occurring in a small focal area of the prostate. The procedure has similar cure rates to HIFU, can be repeated, and is performed under anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Very low side effects.

Patients with most types of prostate cancer have OPTIONS. The objective of any treatment is first, and foremost, to eradicate the cancer. However, quality of life is also important. Less invasive options, in many patients, can provide cure without compromising important quality of life measures—especially maintenance of bladder control and intimacy functions.

Yes. Prostate MRI is essential for treatment planning and, in most cases, MRI images can be imported into the treatment planning software to allow for more precise treatment. MRI should be done prior to prostate biopsy in most cases. However,  a prostate MRI is essential within a few months of treatment.

 This is known as a PSMA scan (PSMA evaluates the prostate, lymph nodes, and the entire body for any areas concerning for prostate cancer) and is essential in patients needing treatment after radiation failure.

A PSMA scan is also valuable in patients with higher-risk prostate cancer to determine if less invasive targeted therapy is appropriate.

No. The science behind HIFU dates back to the 1960’s. Countless highly rigorous long term studies have been published demonstrating effectiveness and a favorable low side effect profile. These are “mature” studies, documenting results out to at least 15 years.