HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND

Cutting Edge of Advanced Technology for the Prostate Cancer and BPH therapy

At Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center we are actively involved in pursuing the most advance technology to treat our patients. Now, in the area of prostate cancer, Dr. Roert Pugach is in an elite group of less than 1% of the urologists in the US certified to perform an exciting new procedure for prostate cancer…High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

The advantage of the HIFU procedure for prostate cancer therapy, is that it can cure the disease without having the side effects of bladder control problems or erectile dysfunction that are common with surgical and other procedures. HIFU is a non-invasive, precise and targeted procedure that reduces some of the risk of complications caused by traditional prostate cancer therapy involving surgery and radiation.

HIFU is being used throughout the world as a therapeutic procedure for prostate cancer and benign prostate growth (BPH). The technology is not new to the United States as it originated at the Indiana University School of Medicine in the 1970s and is now going through the rigorous US approval process. To review clinical publications, results and research activity of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), click here.

HIFU is not yet approved for use in the United States by the FDA, so it is technically considered as an investigational treatment.  However, it available throughout the world including Japan, Europe, Central America, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and South Africa to name a few.  Dr. Pugach is one of a select few American urologists certified to travel internationally to treat patients with HIFU.  Dr. Robert Pugach has performed many HIFU procedures and can offer HIFU in several countries.*  Dr. Pugach is certified to train other urologists in HIFU.
 

HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (HIFU)

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, or HIFU, is a therapy that destroys tissue with rapid heat elevation, which essentially "cooks" the tissue.  Ultrasound energy, or sound waves, is focused at a specific location and at that "focal point," the temperature raises to almost 90 degrees Celsius in a matter of seconds.  Any tissue at the "focal point" is destroyed; however, an tissue outside of the focal point remains unharmed.  The sound waves pass through healthy tissue without causing damage.
 

Dr. Robert Pugach uses the Sonablate® 500, a medical device, used as a therapeutic procedure for men diagnosed with prostate cancer and benign prostate growth (BPH). HIFU is a non-invasive prostate cancer procedure that does not require a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).  To read a recent article featuring HIFU, Click here

Is HIFU radiation free?
Yes, HIFU is completely radiation free. Unlike radiation, ultrasound energy is non-ionizing meaning it will not harm any tissue outside of the target area.

How long does HIFU take and what is the recovery?
The procedure takes 1-4 hours depending on the size of the prostate, and recovery time is 1-2 hours. After recovery, the patient is discharged.

Does HIFU procedure require hospitalization?
No, Sonablate® 500 HIFU is an outpatient procedure and does not normally require hospitalization.

What should I expect after I have HIFU?
During the first one to two weeks after the procedure, a patient may experience very mild urinary symptoms such as frequency and/or urgency to void. In the first one to two months, a patient may pass an occasional small amount of blood or mucus-like materials in the urine stream which is normal. A urinary catheter is inserted after the  procedure and must be kept in place for 3-4 weeks.  Dr. Pugach will thoroughly discuss all of your pre and post care instructions.
Meet HIFU Patient, click here.

HIFU  Clinical Research
To review clinical publications, results and research activity of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), click here.

Did you Know?
HIFU is completely radiation free. Tissue is heated and destroyed using ultrasound energy. This is actually the same type of energy used for obstetric ultrasounds with pregnant women to see their baby before birth or determine a due date. When ultrasound energy is focused in a specific spot, there can be a rapid raise in temperature that can causes cells in the area to die.

HIFU TREATMENTS IN PUERTO VALLARTA, MEXICO
Dr. Pugach has treated many patients with HIFU in Puerto Vallarta Mexico. If you would like to speak to a HIFU patient or schedule a consultation with Dr. Pugach at 888.735.4436.  Or you may speak with a HIFU International nurse and travel consultants. (Click on this link for more information)

Dr. Robert Pugach performs his HIFU procedures at San  Javier Hospital Marina. This hospital absolutely meets the international standards and goes a step further by given each patient personal attention and care in English. Cutting edge technology and excellent nursing staff provide the highest quality care. Dr. Pugach has performed numerous HIFU procedures at this state-of-the-art certified hospital.

During your stay a wide range of concierge services are available for your love ones. The hospital’s Patient Relations Officers are dedicated to help you feel at home away from home.

About Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Our staff and the HIFU International Staff can assist you with travel arrangements.   Call to find out more information, 888-735-4336.  Visit: http://www.hifumx.com/index2.htm

Best Life Magazine features HIFU
Read the story featured in Best Life Magazine that follows the experience of one HIFU patient who traveled from Charlotte, NC to Toronto for the HIFU procedure. A year later the patient is doing great and his PSA is undetectable. More and more men are facing a medical conundrum: Either risk losing your sex life forever, or travel abroad for a $20,000 procedure that the FDA hasn’t approved yet.
"Sounding out Prostate Cancer," John Brant; Photographs: Nathan Kirkman, Sep 2, 2007 - 8:05:54 PM  Click here to read the entire article.

Currently, HIFU, using the Sonablate® 500* is an investigational, non invasive acoustic ablation technique that is entering FDA Phase III clinical trials for approval in the United States. See note below.

AUDIO LIBRARY
Listen to Dr. Robert Pugach, Medical Director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Group, discuss men’s urological problems and treatments. The topics discussed on the audio files include symptoms and treatment options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), Prostate Cancer, Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversals. Dr. Robert Pugach discusses advanced minimally invasive treatments including Cryoablation and HIFU for prostate cancer. Click here to listen to the audio discussion on the following questions.

Prostate Cancer – HIFU

• This is a very exciting subject to discuss – HIFU. Can you explain what it is?
• How did you get interested in HIFU?
• Do all urologists perform HIFU?
• Why isn’t it available in the United States?
• Where is HIFU available?
• Do patients have to have a physician from another country treat them?
• Since it’s a new procedure, how do you know if it cures prostate cancer?
• What are the advantages?
• Are all prostate cancer patients able to be treated with HIFU?
• What if the cancer is very aggressive – does HIFU work in those patients?
• Is there much pain after the procedure?
• Is HIFU used only for prostate cancer?
• Is HIFU expensive?
• How can patients learn more about HIFU?

If you would like more information about this remarkable new procedure for prostate cancer and benign prostate growth (BPH), please give us a call at 888-735-4336 or click on this link for more information

* The Sonablate® 500 is being studied in clinical trials for use in the treatment of prostate cancer in the United States and is not approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. HIFU with the Sonablate® 500 is authorized for use for the treatment of prostate cancer in Canada, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. It is also available in the Bahamas and Mexico.

Note: Over 6000 men, in nearly 100 HIFU centers worldwide, have already chosen HIFU with the Sonablate^® 500, because it is the most advanced HIFU therapy available. (Source: www.internationalhifu.com)

It is important that you educate yourself well about this procedure before making a decision about how to treat your prostate cancer or BPH. Call our office to discuss out-of-town packages for HIFU therapy with Dr. Robert Pugach

*For more information, visit www.internationalhifu.com

Download the HIFU Patient Information Brochure.