Los Angeles Urologist Discusses New Prostate Cancer Treatment HIFU

Board-certified urologist Dr. Kia Michel comments on the risks of FDA approved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy for prostate cancer.

PRWeb. February 26, 2016

High intensity focused ultrasound, also known as HIFU, is a cancer treatment that uses high frequency sound waves to destroy cancer cells while leaving surrounding tissue unharmed and causes less side effects than traditional cancer treatments. The revolutionary technology has offered a new opportunity for prostate cancer patients to preserve their quality of life while still undergoing life-saving care. However, according to a December 30th article on Cancer Therapy Advisor, medical experts are urging prostate cancer patients to remain cautious when looking to undergo HIFU treatment.

Renowned cancer and robotic surgeon Dr. Kia Michel of Comprehensive Urology said, “As with any new technology used to treat cancer, it may be true that HIFU can be used to successfully eliminate prostate cancer with little to no side effects, however, it also depends on the surgeon’s experience and skill level with the latest technology. Not everyone has the same training or access to the latest surgical devices, so it is important to do your research before signing up for any procedure.”

When employed by a skilled surgeon, HIFU can be used to ablate prostate cancer tissue while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. Unlike other surgical procedures used to treat localized prostate cancer, normal prostate function can be preserved since it is not necessary to make incisions in the prostate. Therefore, patients can maintain healthy sexual and urinary function despite undergoing cancer treatment. Currently, Dr. Michel is the only urologist in the Cedars-Sinai community to offer HIFU and on the west side of Los Angeles to have done any HIFU treatment for prostate cancer since it was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November 2015.

“The biggest challenge when it comes to treating prostate cancer is the impact treatments such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy can have on a patient’s everyday life,” added Dr. Michel. “We strive to preserve a patient’s quality of life as much as possible, unfortunately, the process can have negative side effects, such as loss of sexual function or urinary leakage. HIFU gives us a better chance at effectively treating cancer and letting patients get back to their lives as if they were never diagnosed.”

As a new modality for treating prostate cancer, urologists will have to learn how to use the technology in order to offer it as one of the existing options for prostate cancer treatment, such as cryo-ablation or laser.

“At Comprehensive Urology, we are proud to have access to and training with the latest advancements in cancer treatments, including HIFU, which allows us to treat a broad range of prostate cancer with high success rates. Our experience and expertise in cutting-edge prostate cancer technology sets us apart from others in the field of urology,” said Dr. Michel.

Kia Michel M.D. earned his medical degree at the University of Washington School of Medicine and completed his residency at UCLA. He has also been recognized as a National Pfizer Scholar. As one of the founding members of the reputable Comprehensive Urology Medical Group, located in the Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers in Los Angeles, California, Dr. Michel treats a host of urologic diseases. One of the few urologists who is both an acclaimed cancer and robotic surgeon, Dr. Michel is a compassionate doctor who has dedicated his career to providing state-of-the-art care for his patients with a warm, nurturing touch. In addition to Comprehensive Urology, Dr. Michel is also a founding member of the Integrated Prostate Cancer Center in Los Angeles, an advanced facility dedicated to the treatment and prevention of prostate cancer.

Comprehensive Urology

Comprehensive Urology is a renowned urological practice in Los Angeles that provides state of the art urological care in a personalized and compassionate environment. The physicians at Comprehensive Urology are board-certified urologists with specialty training in a number of different aspects of urology and provide tailored care for their patients with outstanding results.

Call them today at (310) 278-8330 or visit their website:http://www.comprehensive-urology.com.

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