Urologic Surgeons of Arizona to Offer New Option to Prostate Cancer Patients

Mesa Practice is First in Arizona to Use Minimally Invasive HIFU Procedure, Presents Low Risk of Impotence, Incontinence to Patients

Thanks to advances in ultrasound technology, men in Arizona now have a new option to consider after receiving a diagnosis of prostate cancer: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). HIFU is a minimally invasive procedure that directs high-frequency sound waves to ablate prostate tissue, with a low risk of triggering the common side effects of impotence or incontinence that can result from traditional prostate cancer modalities.

Urologic Surgeons of Arizona in Mesa is the first in Arizona to offer this option to patients with localized prostate cancer, cancer that has spread in but not beyond the capsule of the prostate gland, and has not reached other parts of the body.

Kashif Alvi, MD, Urologist at Urologic Surgeons of Arizona is performing HIFU procedures at the Surgery Center of Gilbert, using the Ablatherm® Robotic HIFU from EDAP TMS.

A Preferable Option

When Reggie Dye went for a wellness check back in October 2016 his PSA was on the high end of normal ranges. He followed up with his primary physician for further testing, especially since his father was a prostate cancer survivor. His doctor referred him to Dr. Kashif Alvi, who performed a biopsy and discovered cancer cells in one of the 12 samples taken.

Dr. Alvi advised Dye that his prostate cancer was in the early stages and hadn’t progressed enough to warrant more serious measures as a full prostatectomy. His typical options included active surveillance, radiation therapy and cryotherapy. However, Dr. Alvi suggested a new option, HIFU, since his cancer was localized.

“I was young, healthy and in good shape and thought the HIFU procedure sounded like the best option for me, and it was worth a shot,” Dye said. “The procedure appears to have been successful. It was done on an outpatient basis and I felt great later that afternoon. I’m still recovering with no incontinence issues but some frequent and sometimes uncomfortable urination. But that should subside as the healing process continues.

“Men my age who have a similar diagnosis should definitely consider HIFU as an alternative to more invasive procedures.”

“Patients with localized prostate cancer who are actively watching and waiting have a heavy psychological burden,” Dr. Alvi said. “And young men don’t want the dreaded side effects that come with radical surgery. Up till now they didn’t have many options. HIFU is one of the first minimally invasive treatments with minimal side effects, and we are pleased to be the first to offer it in Arizona.”

HIFU Gaining Ground Worldwide

According to the Urology Care Foundations, more than 90 percent of men who are told they have prostate cancer have localized disease, meaning a majority of these patients could benefit from a procedure like HIFU. This may be a more appealing option than the choices these patients have had in the past — such as radiation therapy, radical surgery to remove the entire prostate, or active surveillance (“watchful waiting”). HIFU fills a significant void between active surveillance, which can be stressful, and whole gland ablation. This technology bridges the gap and allows patients to maintain their quality of life.

In the US, Europe and around the world, HIFU has been used to treat more than 45,000 patients with encouraging results in terms of both survival rates and quality of life. For instance, a multicenter study conducted by the French Association of Urology (AFU) showed optimal preservation of continence for 97 percent of patients and erectile function for more than 78 percent of men.

In 2015, the FDA cleared Ablatherm HIFU for prostate tissue ablation. Since then, HIFU has gained momentum at top medical centers and universities in the US, including Cleveland Clinic, Duke University, Weill Cornell Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and others. In addition, the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created a specific billing code for this procedure to ease reimbursement claims for Medicare patients who choose the HIFU option.

About Kashif Alvi, MD

Dr. Alvi is a board certified urologist practicing in the Phoenix metropolitan area and one of the top urologists in Arizona. He completed two years of post-doctorate training as a research associate at Yale University, following medical school. He then completed his urology residency at Massachusetts General Hospital, which has been ranked the #1 hospital multiple times by US News & World Report, and is affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Dr. Alvi also served as faculty in the Urology Department of Mass General Hospital for six months, after completing his residency.

Dr Alvi has lived in Arizona since 2011, and has become known in the area for his work in minimally invasive robotic surgery. He is the first urologist in East Valley to perform a complete Robotic Radical Cystectomy with an Intracorporal Urinary Diversion. He is also the first urologist in Arizona to perform the HIFU procedure for prostate cancer.

Dr Alvi is an active member of the American Urological Association (AUA) and Phoenix Urology Society. He can be reached at his office at (480) 409–5060.