Newly FDA approved Prostate Cancer treatment

A minimally invasive prostate cancer therapy, approved by the FDA just a few weeks ago, uses ultrasound energy to destroy cancerous tissue.
The therapy, called HIFU (High Intensity Focal Ultrasound) has been widely available for 15 years in more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Louisville urologist Dr. John Jurige has performed the procedure outside the United States for years, now he will perform the first HIFU treatment in the US in Louisville on Tuesday.
"I think it is a game changer because traditionally we've had surgery and radiation therapy as the primary options for patients and in certain patients who are found to have prostate cancer at an early stage, who are particularly motivated to preserve these quality of life issues particularly the sexual functioning and the bladder control we now have another weapon that we can now use for these patients," Dr. Jurige said.
Dr. Jurige has performed the procedure roughly 400 times over the last 8 years, in the Bahamas and Cancun, Mexico. This treatment is mainly for patients with early stages of prostate cancer. Dr. Jurige says FDA approval will likely lead to the procedure being more widely covered by insurance.