FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: BARRY RASSIN, PRESIDENT OF DOCTORS HOSPITAL IN THE BAHAMAS, GEORGE M. SUAREZ, M.D.,MEDICAL DIRECTOR USHIFU, BOARD CERTIFIED UROLOGIST.
Nassau, Bahamas - Doctors Hospital has been a pioneer in minimally and non-invasive surgeries in the Bahamas with the first Laparoscopic colon surgery performed locally in 2009; today high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been added to its portfolio for treatment of prostate cancer. Doctors Hospital thus joins a select group of hospitals that is offering this innovative treatment for prostate cancer and becomes the first hospital in the Bahamas to offer this technology.
HIFU delivered with the Sonablate® 500 medical device (“Sonablate HIFU”) destroys prostatic tissue with extreme heat generated from focused ultrasound waves. Initially, the Sonablate captures real-time images of the prostate gland, allowing the physician to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. The physician then uses the Sonablate to deliver the ultrasound energy to extremely small target sites, or focal points, throughout the prostate gland. The ultrasound energy is delivered in rapid-fire succession to targeted tissue throughout the gland. The tissue at each target is destroyed while surrounding tissue remains unharmed.
HIFU treatment typically is a one-time, 2-4 hour procedure performed on an out-patient basis under spinal anesthesia. Patients generally are up and walking within hours after HIFU and can return to a normal lifestyle within a couple of days.
Considered a promising technology within the non-invasive or minimally invasive therapy segments of medical technology, HIFU uses non-ionizing, or clean, energy and may be repeated if necessary should there be a recurrence and may be used as a salvage therapy if some other treatments have failed.
Men over age 50 years are still encouraged to have an annual rectal examination and a blood test called a PSA as prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men and the third leading cause of male cancer deaths worldwide.
Nassau, Bahamas - Doctors Hospital has been a pioneer in minimally and non-invasive surgeries in the Bahamas with the first Laparoscopic colon surgery performed locally in 2009; today high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been added to its portfolio for treatment of prostate cancer. Doctors Hospital thus joins a select group of hospitals that is offering this innovative treatment for prostate cancer and becomes the first hospital in the Bahamas to offer this technology.
HIFU delivered with the Sonablate® 500 medical device (“Sonablate HIFU”) destroys prostatic tissue with extreme heat generated from focused ultrasound waves. Initially, the Sonablate captures real-time images of the prostate gland, allowing the physician to create a customized treatment plan for each patient. The physician then uses the Sonablate to deliver the ultrasound energy to extremely small target sites, or focal points, throughout the prostate gland. The ultrasound energy is delivered in rapid-fire succession to targeted tissue throughout the gland. The tissue at each target is destroyed while surrounding tissue remains unharmed.
HIFU treatment typically is a one-time, 2-4 hour procedure performed on an out-patient basis under spinal anesthesia. Patients generally are up and walking within hours after HIFU and can return to a normal lifestyle within a couple of days.
Considered a promising technology within the non-invasive or minimally invasive therapy segments of medical technology, HIFU uses non-ionizing, or clean, energy and may be repeated if necessary should there be a recurrence and may be used as a salvage therapy if some other treatments have failed.
Men over age 50 years are still encouraged to have an annual rectal examination and a blood test called a PSA as prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men and the third leading cause of male cancer deaths worldwide.
Another feather on his cap!
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