High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for Prostate Cancer

Updated October 2026. HIFU is now an established option for men with localized Prostate Cancer, with ten years of results behind it.

For current results, suitability and travel, read our guide to HIFU results and suitability in India. HIFU at World Class Hospitals in India costs between USD 4,000 and 8,000; see how that compares with the United States and the United Kingdom.

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Our article on the first focal HIFU study and what it found explains the early research. This page covers which men HIFU suits and its main advantages.

HIFU is only useful to treat a single tumour or part of a large tumour. It can’t be used to treat tumours that are more widespread in the body. This means that HIFU is not suitable for people with cancer that has spread to more than one place in their body. Because the prostate is positioned deep within the pelvis, you have HIFU for prostate cancer by putting an ultrasound probe (transrectal probe) into your back passage (rectum). From that position, the ultrasound can direct beams more accurately at the prostate. Results from trials so far show that HIFU may be as successful in treating prostate cancer as treatment with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Long term results are now available: the largest registry in the United Kingdom has followed 3,477 men treated with HIFU for up to ten years.

What are the advantages?

Advantages

  • HIFU treatment is not as invasive as radical prostatectomy, brachytherapy or cryotherapy.
  • It requires a short hospital stay of less than 24 hours.
  • The treatment can be repeated if necessary.