Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) – A new therapy is giving prostate cancer patients in Rochester an alternative to traditional cancer treatment.
The treatment is called High Intensity Focused Ultrasound – or HIFU. The technique uses heat to destroy cancerous prostate tissue.
It is now being used by doctors at Rochester Regional Health.
It is less invasive than other treatments and has fewer side effects than chemotherapy and radiation.
Gerald Nesbitt, a prostate cancer patient, said he was back to driving his truck just a few days after the treatment.
“Two days after I had it done, I was not feeling any ill effects from anything,” Nesbitt said.
Dr. John Valvo, a urologist and robotic surgeon with Rochester Regional Health, said it gives them an upper hand in the fight against cancer.
“This is a distinct advantage we have now,” Dr. Valvo said. “A minimally invasive, targeted therapy for prostate cancer.”
The therapy is an entirely outpatient procedure.