A trial of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for localised prostate cancer

This trial was looking at high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to treat prostate cancer that is contained within the prostate gland (localised prostate cancer).

HIFU uses high frequency sound waves. When high frequency sound waves are focused directly on body tissues, the cells heat up and die. Doctors hoped that HIFU could be used to kill prostate cancer cells without damaging healthy surrounding tissue.

Because the prostate gland is inside the body, you have HIFU to the prostate via an ultrasound probe in your back passage (rectum). From that position, the ultrasound beams can be directed onto the prostate more accurately.

The aim of this trial was to see how well HIFU worked for localised prostate cancer.