AdventHealth Zephyrhills Now Offers Minimally Invasive Prostate Cancer Treatment

June 09, 2023 — TAMPA, Fla. — AdventHealth Zephyrhills now has new technology to help in the fight against prostate cancer. Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.

Dr. Bertram Lewis, a urologist at AdventHealth Zephyrhills, has successfully started using the Sonablate HIFU to treat his patients with localized prostate cancer. HIFU, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound, uses sound energy to generate heat that destroys only the diseased tissue within the body. This means a quick recovery for patients with fewer side effects.

“This is a game-changer for patients with low-volume disease who want to act and get their prostate cancer treated,” Dr. Lewis said. “It’s a way to treat the prostate gland and treat minimally so men preserve their continence and potency.”

According to the manufacturer Sonablate, this focal therapy offers comparable long-term outcomes to a complete prostate removal procedure.

A study, published in a peer-reviewed publication, revealed that after eight years, 79 percent of patients who underwent prostate removal and 83 percent of patients who received focal therapy did not require any further treatment.

“It’s no longer an all or nothing approach, where you’re either watching and waiting or looking at radiation or removal,” Dr. Lewis said. “For men with low volume disease, HIFU offers them a chance for a cure or remediation.”

The American Cancer Society estimates there will be about 288,300 new cases of prostate cancer this year in the U.S. and the average age of men when they are first diagnosed is about 66 years old.

Additionally, more patients now have access to this non-invasive treatment after Medicare started covering the procedure in 2023. Coverage under private insurance varies, so contact your provider for more information.

Dr. Lewis and our team of specialists at AdventHealth Zephyrhills treat a variety of urologic conditions, including bladder, prostate and testicular disorders, urologic cancers and more. We combine experience, expertise and technology to effectively assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of urological conditions.

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About AdventHealth Zephyrhills

AdventHealth Zephyrhills is a 149-bed acute care hospital and is a member of the faith-based AdventHealth System, providing a connected network of care in nearly a dozen states with more than 50 hospitals and hundreds of care sites. Since 1985, the hospital has provided award-winning care with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. The hospital offers a wide variety of services to include heart care, orthopedics, women’s health, surgical care, digestive health, robotic technology, a 24/7 emergency room with online scheduling and more. With a focus on whole-person care, skilled and compassionate caregivers provide individualized care for body, mind and spirit. To learn more about the hospital’s services, visit AHZephyrhills.com.

About Sonablate HIFU for Prostate Tissue Ablation

Sonablate is a minimally-invasive device intended for precise planning and monitoring of ultrasound imaging and high intensity focused ultrasound to ablate prostate tissue. Most common side effects include pain and discomfort and urinary tract infection (UTI). Rare side effects include rectal injury, which may require intervention. Consult your physician to see if the Sonablate procedure is right for you. For additional information, visit www.sonablate.com.