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High intensity focused ultrasound, or HIFU, uses ultrasound waves to generate heat, which destroys cancer cells in the prostate. It is usually only given to men with early-stage prostate cancer.
The treatment can be given to the whole prostate if you have several tumours or given to a small area of the prostate. Both methods are done under a general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic, so you won’t feel anything during the treatment.
During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is gently passed into the back passage (rectum). The probe is surrounded by a cooling balloon to protect your back passage from the heat. The probe not only creates heat to treat the cancer but also takes ultrasound images of the prostate, This helps your doctor see the tumour(s) more clearly.
HIFU is a specialised technique and is not available in all hospitals. In some countries, HIFU may be available as part of a clinical trial or research study.
Early-stage prostate cancer: Early stage cancer means your cancer is Stage 1 or Stage 2. This means the tumour is contained, or “localised” in your prostate.
General anaesthetic: A general anaesthetic is a controlled way of forcing you to fall asleep, so you are unaware of the procedure being done.
Spinal anaesthetic: A spinal anaesthetic numbs the lower half of your body, so you will not be able to feel anything during the procedure.
This chapter contains general information about prostate cancer treatments. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always consult your doctor or healthcare provider for guidance on your individual medical situation.
The development of this chapter was funded by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Its content has been independently developed and approved by the EAU Patient Office.
Last updated: May 2025