For men diagnosed with prostate cancer, the treatment landscape has traditionally centered on radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy. However, an emerging therapy — robotic high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), a noninvasive modality that helps preserve sexual and urinary function — is now a viable option for more patients.
Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute is the first facility in the country to implement the newest generation of this groundbreaking technology. The innovation integrates the patient’s PET scan with MRI and 3D biopsy to enhance precision targeting through real-time image guidance.
“The advantage of the imaging fusion is that it allows us to scientifically target the areas of the prostate that are lighting up on the PET scan,” says genitourinary surgical oncologist Manuel Ozambela, M.D., with the Institute. “This should improve oncologic control and minimize side effects. The idea is that we’re going to treat the part of the prostate that has cancer and leave the rest of the prostate alone, unlike traditional therapies that remove or radiate the whole prostate.”
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. In 2025, it’s estimated that there will be more than 313,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Although mortality has continued to drop, the incidence of prostate cancer has been on the rise in recent years.
Candidates for robotic HiFU include patients with a PSA of less than 15 and unifocal or unilateral cancer that is intermediate risk, Dr. Ozambela says. It may be used as a salvage treatment or for those whose radiation therapy has failed.
The outpatient procedure, which takes one to two hours, is done under general anesthesia. “We overlay the image and that gives us a specific map so that we can treat the exact zone,” he says. “A rectal ultrasound probe delivers energy to the prostate to ablate the tissue. The patient goes home the same day with a catheter that remains in place for five to seven days.”
Physicians at Baptist Health Cancer Care offer a full range of services for patients with prostate cancer, including multiple surgical and radiation options such as proton therapy, external beam radiation and brachytherapy. They are also involved in clinical trials to develop new treatment breakthroughs.
“We are studying protocols that might be applicable to more high-risk patients, and we expect the robotic HiFU platform to incorporate AI in the near future,” Dr. Ozambela says. It’s expected that AI will be utilized in pretreatment planning, and will aid in precision, more accurately delineating tumor boundaries and minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues.
Dr. Ozambela sees patients at the Institute’s Miami and Plantation locations. To refer a prostate cancer patient, call 786-596-2000.
