St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro successfully performed Arkansas’ first noninvasive treatment of early-stage prostate cancer, lessening the risks and side effects that can come with traditional surgery or radiation.
Urologist Dr. Emma Jacobs performed the procedure using a high-intensity focused ultrasound. During outpatient treatment, doctors use a probe to destroy diseased portions of the prostate without damaging healthy structures. The procedure itself takes about 60-90 minutes, and patients likely get discharged the same day.
The treatment is a repeatable procedure, unlike surgery or radiation. In addition, it does not take away a patient’s ability to have radiation or surgery in the future if needed.