The effectiveness of cancer treatments continues to improve, leading to a better quality of life and higher survival rates for cancer patients. Researchers are finding new ways to combine therapies and developing new treatment methods.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a relatively new treatment option that uses ultrasound waves to treat some types of cancer as well as non-cancerous tumors in the bones, breast, prostate, brain, liver, kidneys, and pancreas.
The main difference between radiation therapy and HIFU is the type of energy used – high-energy x-rays versus high-intensity sound waves that destroy the cancer. While effective, HIFU is not a treatment option for every patient. Let’s look at the two therapies and how they can be used.
Radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) is often part of the cancer treatment process. Radiation therapy damages cancer cells' DNA (instructions for cells), which stops them from dividing and growing.
Radiation therapy is a versatile treatment that can be used in several ways. It can be:
Radiation therapy can be administered from an external or an internal source. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT), the most commonly used method, targets high-energy radiation beams at the cancer from a machine called a linear accelerator outside the body. There are several types of EBRT. A radiation oncologist will review your specific needs, including the type, size, and tumor location, to determine what will work best. Treatments are usually given five days a week for a few weeks.
Internal radiation is called brachytherapy. For prostate cancer, tiny radioactive seeds or pellets are surgically implanted inside the body and allowed to break down slowly over time, releasing the proper dose of radiation to the tumor to kill the cancer. For some cancers, such as breast cancer, the pellets are placed temporarily for a few minutes into the breast through a surgically implanted applicator. This process is repeated a few times over the course of several days to complete the treatment.
As with many cancer treatments, there are some side effects to be expected. Side effects differ for each person and depend on where the radiation is delivered to the body.
Short-term side effects can include:
Although most side effects start improving after treatment ends, some patients have long-term side effects such as arm or leg swelling (lymphedema), scarring (fibrosis), or secondary cancers. Other side effects can develop months or years after treatment has ended.
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive treatment that uses powerful ultrasound waves to treat cancer. Carefully focused sound waves act on cancerous tumors and modify or destroy them. They cause the tumor’s temperature to increase, and the intense heat destroys it. Ultrasound beams go through layers of skin, muscle, and other tissue without affecting them. HIFU is like a magnifying glass that focuses sunlight on a target and burns it.
Its most common use is for early-stage, slow-growing prostate cancer. It can be an alternative to active surveillance. It’s not effective for prostate cancer that has developed beyond the prostate. In some cases, it’s also used after radiation or surgery if these two methods have failed to eliminate small, locally confined prostate cancer.
There are some side effects of HIFU. While some are similar to radiation therapy for prostate cancer, others are not. These should go away on their own within a few weeks after treatment:
HIFU has both advantages and disadvantages compared to radiation therapy. HIFU advantages include:
HIFU’s disadvantages are:
HIFU provides precision targeting and is generally restricted to small, easily detected cancers that have not spread. Radiation can be used on almost any type of cancer. There are side effects with both treatments, some of which are similar.
External beam radiation therapy requires multiple treatment sessions. Brachytherapy requires surgery and anesthesia to insert the radioactive pellets on or near your tumor. HIFU is usually completed in one session but can require anesthesia to place the ultrasound equipment into the rectum.
HIFU is most often given by a urologist in an outpatient procedure for prostate cancer. A radiation oncologist administers external beam radiation therapy at a cancer center. Treatments are usually five days a week for a few weeks. Brachytherapy is a one-time surgical procedure to place the seeds in the prostate. The radiation oncologist will determine the dose and often also performs the procedure.
When comparing radiation therapy and HIFU, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your treatment goals and objectives and to consider your cancer type, stage, location, and overall health. If you haven’t met with an oncologist, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation before choosing any treatment, whether it’s surgery, HIFU, or radiation therapy.
Your oncologist will develop a customized cancer treatment plan for your specific needs. Ask them about how their plan compares to HIFU and why they would or would not recommend it. An informed decision means you understand the various treatments and their side effects before choosing one you and your loved ones are comfortable with.
If HIFU is an option for you, be sure you understand:
By understanding your treatment goals and the specifics of each treatment method, including the potential outcomes of each treatment, you are in a good position to make an informed decision about your treatment.
Cancer patients in the greater Atlanta area can receive expert radiation therapy treatment close to home at any of the radiation therapy centers in Blairsville, Conyers, Covington, Decatur, and Snellville, Georgia. Request a consultation to understand your treatment options better.