Dr. Ganeshalingam Devendra is a urologist who offers HIFU for localized prostate cancer in Encino, California. Learn more about how he got into practicing medicine and how he works with patients to find the treatment that is best for them.

1. What was your main motivation in becoming a doctor? When did you decide on this path?

My father wanted to be a doctor but was unable to because of financial limitations. He was my motivation and inspiration.

2. How did you decide on your particular specialty? Why urology?

I was a general surgeon for ten years working in England before I came to the United States. I was fortunate to get a urology residence in Michigan when I moved to the U.S..

3. What is your favorite part about being a physician?

My favorite part of being a physician is the human interaction and the satisfaction that I have helped someone to overcome his medical problems.

4. When did you first learn about HIFU as a treatment for prostate cancer?

I first learned about HIFU from my colleagues in England.

5. When did you become involved in treating patients using HIFU technology?

I trained to offer HIFU in 2010 offshore prior to FDA approval.

6. Why did you initially become interested in HIFU as a treatment for prostate cancer?

I was interested in HIFU as another as another treatment  modality to offer my localized prostate cancer patients.

7. What do you typically tell a patient when they are first diagnosed with prostate cancer?

I give my patients all the treatment options including surgery, radiation, hormone treatment, HIFU and watchful waiting.

8. In your professional opinion, what are the benefits of HIFU as a treatment for prostate cancer?

The benefits of HIFU is that it is a minimally invasive, outpatient treatment with minimal side effects. My patients have done exceptionally well.

9. How do you decide if HIFU is right for a patient?

I determine whether HIFU is right for a patient based on the pathology, size of the gland, patients, patient co-morbidity and age.

10. In general, how quickly do your patients recover after HIFU? What do you tell men to expect?

Most patients recover quickly; I tell them within two weeks.

11. There are obviously a lot of different treatments for prostate cancer; where do you think HIFU best fits in the prostate cancer landscape?

I believe HIFU is a very good option for low grade cancer showing progression on a watchful waiting protocol and for intermediate grade cancer and radiation failures.

12. In recent years there has been some discussion about over treating prostate cancer and even changing guidelines on when men should start getting regular screening for prostate cancer. What do you tell men?

I have practiced over 30 years as a urologist. The most grateful of my patients who had an early diagnosis, had treatment, and are disease free.

13. When you aren’t practicing medicine what do you like to do?

I play golf every week. I also love to paint and read.