CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIFU Prostate Services, LLC, the most experienced provider of HIFU for prostate cancer and with the largest network of HIFU physicians, has placed a Sonablate HIFU system at Florida Hospital Celebration Health under the direction of Dr. Vipul Patel. Dr. Patel is widely considered the world’s expert in robotic-assisted prostatectomy (prostate removal), having performed over 9,500, and leads the efforts at the Global Robotics Institute in Celebration, FL.
HIFU, which stand for high intensity focused ultrasound, is a non-surgical, radiation-free, single outpatient procedure that uses focused sound waves to heat and destroy tissue in the prostate. In October 2015, the FDA cleared HIFU for prostate tissue ablation.
The Sonablate system was installed in May at Florida Hospital and Dr. Patel has successfully treated patients in Celebration. “My patients have done very well with the HIFU treatment and we look forward to implementing this novel technology into our treatment options,” commented Dr. Vipul Patel.
“HIFU represents an important new tool in prostate cancer treatment. Focal therapy has the potential to provide a new avenue for our patients,” said Dr. Patel.
Men diagnosed with prostate cancer are often forced to choose between invasive treatment, such as surgery or radiation, or watchful waiting, simply monitoring the disease over time. HIFU is helping men find middle ground in choosing a treatment option that eliminates the disease but also preserves quality of life.
The precision of HIFU allows for full gland ablation or targeted focal treatments just treating the cancerous tumor, similar to a lumpectomy for breast cancer. Focal therapy, often referred to as a “male lumpectomy,” is a general term for a variety of noninvasive techniques for destroying small tumors inside the prostate while leaving the gland intact and sparing most of its healthy tissue.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Dr. Patel and his team of prostate cancer experts at Florida Hospital’s Global Robotics Institute. Dr. Patel is a pioneer and thought leader in the field of urology and prostate cancer,” said John Linn, chief executive officer, HIFU Prostate Services.
About HIFU Prostate Services, LLC
HIFU Prostate Services (HPS) was founded to provide men access to a less invasive treatment option for prostate cancer that has the ability to eliminate cancer and preserve patient quality of life. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality of care, support, and technology to the patient and to the urology community for the treatment of localized prostate cancer using Sonablate HIFU. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC. http://www.hifuprostateservices.com
About Florida Hospital
Opened in 1908, Florida Hospital is a faith-based institution focused on providing whole person care. It is one of the largest not-for-profit hospitals in the country, caring for more than two million patient visits per year – more than any other hospital in the country, according to the American Hospital Association. The Florida Division of Florida Hospital stretches from coast to coast with 26 hospitals, more than 4,600 patient beds, and more than 32,000 employees. The division includes the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children, dozens of outpatient facilities and more than two dozen Centra Care urgent care locations throughout Central Florida. https://www.floridahospital.com
About the Global Robotics Institute
Since 2007, the Global Robotics Institute has been dedicated to providing inventive, groundbreaking health care solutions through clinical innovation, educational partnerships, research and publishing, and technological breakthroughs. The institute is located at Florida Hospital Celebration Health, an international destination hospital for primary and advanced medical treatment and research both for the good of our patients as well as for physicians who wish to be trained on state-of-the-art equipment and advanced techniques. https://www.globalroboticsinstitute.com