As Prostate Cancer Awareness Month approaches in September, a new treatment option has emerged for patients in Oregon.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in the United States, affecting one in eight during their lifetime. It is also the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men, according to the American Cancer Society.
Now, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is offering a new non-invasive therapy. Earlier this year, OHSU surgeon Dr. Sudhir Isharwal began using a robotic device that targets prostate cancer with focused, high-frequency ultrasound waves. OHSU became the first hospital in Oregon to provide this treatment beginning in the spring.
“This technology uses sound waves to heat and destroy prostate cancer tissue,” Dr. Isharwal explained.
Unlike traditional treatments such as surgery or radiation, which can lead to side effects like urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction, the new method is less likely to cause such complications.
“There are no cuts or stitches involved,” said Isharwal, who also serves as an associate professor of urology at the OHSU School of Medicine. “Patients often feel as though they haven’t had surgery at all and can return to daily life quickly.”
The treatment is suitable for patients whose cancer is limited to the prostate gland, typically within about four centimeters.
This new procedure reflects a growing trend in cancer care — one that focuses on personalized, targeted treatments designed to minimize harm while effectively controlling the disease.
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