Men with localized prostate cancer have another treatment option available at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) with the introduction of a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology known as Focal One®. The non-invasive, radiation-free approach destroys cancerous tissue with pinpoint accuracy, significantly reducing the risk of side effects and preserving patient quality of life.

Standard treatments for localized prostate cancer include radical procedures like removing the entire prostate or radiating the whole gland, each of which carries a higher risk of life-altering side effects. The HIFU approach offers a more personalized approach for select candidates, allowing urologists to treat only the cancerous tissue instead of the entire organ.

“The precision is the real game-changer,” said Mina Fam, M.D., MBA, medical director of uro-oncology at JSUMC and medical director of robotic surgery at Ocean University Medical Center. “Before the procedure, we use a patient’s MRI scans to map the exact location and shape of the tumor. During the treatment, we pair that MRI data with real-time ultrasound imaging. This gives us a live, 3D view of the prostate. The system then delivers targeted thermal energy with sub-millimeter accuracy, allowing us to destroy the cancerous cells while meticulously sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.”

The technology avoids damaging critical structures like the urinary sphincter, which controls urination, and the neurovascular bundles essential for erectile function. “Our goal is to attack the cancer without compromising the functions that are so important to a man’s daily life,” added Dr. Fam. “For patients, this means a significantly lower risk of incontinence and impotence.”

A convenient patient experience is a key benefit of the procedure, which is performed in a single session, enabling patients to typically go home the same day, and allowing for a quicker recovery time.

A retail store owner, 74-year old Joseph Marinaccio of Monmouth County, was one of Fam’s first patients treated with Focal One. “It was really beneficial to have this Focal One treatment available so close to home. It got me back to work and life much faster than if I chose other treatments,” he shared. “I also have peace of mind knowing that my healthy tissue was spared as part of the treatment.”

A crucial advantage of the radiation-free HIFU treatment, adds Fam, is that it preserves all future treatment options. If the cancer were to recur, a patient would still be a candidate for any other therapy, including surgery or radiation.

“Our goal is to provide the communities we serve with the most advanced treatment options, so they do not have to travel far for the best care. Focal One is a great example of the novel treatment technologies we continue to add to our array of options across specialities,” said Vito Buccellato, MPA, LNHA, president and chief hospital executive, JSUMC. Other recent investments in precision cancer treatments include; histotripsy for liver cancer, trans-arterial micro-perfusion (TAMP™) for pancreatic cancer; and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosolized chemotherapy (PIPAC) for peritoneal cancer.

Physicians can now refer patients with localized prostate cancer for HIFU therapy at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The treatment is also provided at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center. Individuals interested in making an appointment with Dr. Fam, should call 732-840-4300. For additional information, visit: www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/en/services/urology/prostate-cancer.