Newly FDA-Cleared Sonablate HIFU Technology Available Now in Greater Houston Area
CHARLOTTE, N.C. March 29, 2016. Men seeking minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment in Houston, Texas now have the most recently cleared FDA treatment available. HIFU Prostate Services, LLC, the leading provider of minimally invasive treatments using high intensity focused ultrasound (“HIFU”), has partnered with Houston Metro Urology and HIFU Houston, PLLC, led by Dr. Cordell Nwokeji, to bring Sonablate HIFU technology to Houston. The first treatments are scheduled for early May at Houston Metro Urology.
HIFU, which stand for high intensity focused ultrasound, is a non-surgical, radiation-free, outpatient procedure that uses ultrasound energy to heat and destroy tissue in the prostate. In October 2015, it was cleared by the FDA for prostate tissue ablation and that it can be applied for the treatment of localized prostate cancer.
“HIFU Houston, is pleased in partnering with HIFU Prostate Services, in providing an innovative, truly minimally invasive, outpatient treatment option for killing prostate tissue and prostate cancer. After nine years of experience with this technology and high patient satisfaction rates and outcomes, I am relieved that this technology is now available within the U.S. medical community,” said Dr. Cordell Nwokeji (pronounced “Wo-Kedge”), medical director of HIFU Houston.
Until recently, the treatment was only available outside of the U.S. and patients and their physicians frequently traveled to have the procedure done. Dr. Nwokeji has been involved with over 200 HIFU treatments internationally prior to FDA clearance.
“Houston Metro urology is pleased to add to the current available prostate cancer treatment options another minimally invasive treatment. Patients that are trying to decide on how to have their prostate cancer treated can now opt for this innovative treatment modality that has not been available in the U.S. till recently,” said Zvi Schiffman, MD, president of Houston Metro Urology.
“Dr. Nwokeji is not only an accomplished HIFU practitioner, he was part of the team testifying to the FDA on the merits of HIFU for approval for use in the U.S. I know him to be skilled, compassionate, a good family man, and one of the most ethical physicians I have had the pleasure to work with,” said Michael Lazar, MD, medical director of HIFU Prostate Services.
HIFU Prostate Services has already established partnerships to make HIFU available in other treatment locations throughout the country including in California, Kentucky and North Carolina. HIFU Prostate Services has scheduled the opening of multiple locations in Florida and Ohio in May, and several additional locations planned for this summer. HIFU Prostate Services has an experienced concierge medical and administrative staff that personally guides patients through the HIFU treatment process.
About HIFU Prostate Services, LLC
HIFU Prostate Services (HPS) was founded to provide men access to a less invasive treatment option for prostate cancer that has the ability to eliminate cancer and preserve patient quality of life. Our mission is to deliver the highest quality of care, support, and technology to the patient and to the urology community for the treatment of localized prostate cancer using Sonablate HIFU.
HPS was founded in 2015 and has a seasoned management team with over 60 years of HIFU experience from SonaCare Medical. HPS is the first, largest, and most experienced HIFU team in the U.S. and has been involved in over 3,000 HIFU procedures. The HPS network currently has over 100 physicians across the U.S., and our physician proctors have experience with over 1,200 HIFU procedures. The company is headquartered in Charlotte, NC and has established partnerships with physicians and urology practices throughout the country. For additional information, visit http://www.hifuprostateservices.com.
About Houston Metro Urology
Houston Metro Urology was founded in 2006 as the result of a merger of several established practices in and around the city of Houston. Since the merger, Houston Metro Urology has grown to 20 urologists, 1 Uro-Gynecologist, 2 Radiation Oncologists, a Pathologist, and a team of Radiologists who collaborate across multiple locations to provide comprehensive care for men and women who have a wide array of genitourinary conditions including Genitourinary cancers as well as many benign urologic conditions. For more information, visit http://www.hmutx.com.
About Cordell Nwokeji, MD
Dr. Nwokeji specializes in general urology with an emphasis in minimally invasive prostate cancer treatments such as HIFU and cryoablation therapy. Dr. Nwokeji was the first physician in Texas to be credentialed in the HIFU procedure having trained in 2007. He was also one of three urologists who gave a testimonial to the FDA panel about his experience with Sonablate HIFU prior to approval. He received his Bachelor’s degree at Colgate University and earned his medical degree at Howard University College of Medicine in 2000. He did his general surgery residency at Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown, NJ and Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC. He completed his urology residency at Southern Illinois University, Springfield, IL, in 2005. Learn more at www.houstonpremierurology.com.
About HIFU Houston, LLC
HIFU Houston is a partnership led by Dr. Nwokeji in conjunction with other Houston urologists including Don Berardinucci, MD, Alisa Berger, MD, John Giannakis, MD and Ned Stein, MD.
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