High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, November 2008.
Answers to questions about high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- Does HIFU prostate treatment cause erectile dysfunction?
- Is it painful to have the catheter removed?
- Will I lose my continence control?
Does HIFU prostate treatment cause erectile dysfunction?
As with all treatments for prostate cancer, it's possible that you may not be able to get or maintain an erection after HIFU treatment.
Explanation
During HIFU prostate treatment, ultrasound energy is used to heat and destroy cancer cells in your prostate. The nerves responsible for sending messages to the erectile tissues of the penis lie on the surface of the prostate gland. During treatment, it's possible the nerves may be damaged. This means you may not be able to get or maintain an erection afterwards. After HIFU treatment, as with all treatments for prostate cancer, you will usually be infertile and will have little or no ejaculatory fluid.
Further information
- Prostate UK
020 8877 5840
www.prostateuk.org
Sources
- High-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer - information for people considering the procedure, and for the public. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance. March 2005. Interventional Procedure Guidance 118. www.nice.org.uk, accessed 7 February 2008
Is it painful to have the catheter removed?
You may feel slight discomfort when the catheter is removed.
Explanation
HIFU prostate treatment can cause inflammation and swelling of your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder and out through your penis) making it difficult to pass urine. You will have a slim catheter fitted to drain urine from your bladder into a bag. This may be passed through the urethra into your bladder and left in place for a few days. You may feel slight discomfort when it is removed but it shouldn't be painful. Alternatively, you may have the catheter placed directly into your bladder (suprapubic) through a small cut in your lower abdomen. This causes less discomfort and is usually left in place for four to 10 days.
Further information
- Prostate UK
020 8877 5840
www.prostateuk.org
Sources
- High-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer - information for people considering the procedure, and for the public. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance. March 2005. Interventional Procedure Guidance 118. www.nice.org.uk, accessed 7 February 2008
Will I lose my continence control?
It's possible that you may have urinary incontinence for a few weeks after the catheter is removed.
Explanation
HIFU prostate treatment can cause inflammation and swelling of your urethra (the tube that carries urine from your bladder and out through your penis) making it difficult to pass urine. Because of this you will have a catheter in place for up to two weeks.
The catheter can weaken your bladder muscles and there's a chance you may leak urine when you cough, sneeze or make a sudden movement after it's removed. You may also feel a need to pass urine more frequently and urgently. These symptoms should gradually improve after a few weeks but may last up to two months.
There is a small risk that the heat from the ultrasound energy may burn the lining in the rectum and cause faecal incontinence but the chance of this happening is extremely rare.
Sources
- High-intensity focused ultrasound for prostate cancer - information for people considering the procedure, and for the public. National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guidance. March 2005. Interventional Procedure Guidance 118. www.nice.org.uk, accessed 7 February 2008
- Hanus T. Rectourethral fistulas. Intl Braz J Urol 2002; 28(4):338-345
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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: November 2008
High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer factsheet
Visit the high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for prostate cancer health factsheet for more information.
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