Focal Therapy and HIFU for Prostate Cancer in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat, Johor
For selected men with prostate cancer, consultant urologist Dato’ Dr Azhar Amir Hamzah offers focal therapy and HIFU, which treat only the area of the prostate with cancer and aim to protect the healthy tissue around it.
What is focal therapy and HIFU?
Focal therapy treats only the part of the prostate that contains cancer, instead of removing or treating the whole gland. HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) is one type of focal therapy. It uses focused ultrasound energy to heat and destroy the targeted area, through a probe placed in the back passage, with no cuts on the body.
Who may be suitable
- Men with prostate cancer confined to the prostate
- Cancer that is seen in one area on MRI and confirmed on biopsy
- Low or intermediate risk cancer, assessed on PSA, MRI and biopsy results
- Men who want to lower the risk to urinary control and erections
- Men who agree to regular PSA tests and MRI scans after treatment
Benefits and limits
- Treats the cancer while aiming to preserve healthy prostate tissue
- Usually a shorter recovery than whole gland surgery
- Lower risk of leaking urine and erection problems for suitable patients
- Not suitable for every cancer; cancer spread across the prostate needs whole gland treatment
- Some men need a repeat or different treatment later, which remains possible
How Dato’ Dr Azhar assesses and treats you
Dato’ Dr Azhar reviews your PSA, prostate MRI and biopsy results to confirm whether focal therapy is suitable for your cancer. If it is, he explains how the treatment is done, the expected recovery and the follow up plan, and compares it with surgery, radiotherapy and active surveillance so you can choose with full information. Treatment is carried out in hospital under anaesthesia, and many men go home within a day or two.
When to ask about focal therapy
- You have been diagnosed with localised prostate cancer
- You have been offered whole gland surgery or radiotherapy and want to know all your options
- You are on active surveillance and your cancer has started to change
FAQs
Is HIFU a surgery?
There are no cuts. The ultrasound energy is delivered through a probe in the back passage while you are under anaesthesia.
Is focal therapy as effective as removing the prostate?
For carefully selected cancers, it can control the disease well, but long term follow up is essential. Dato’ Dr Azhar explains how it compares for your specific cancer.
Can I still have surgery or radiotherapy later if needed?
Yes. Focal therapy does not rule out other treatments in the future.