November 10, 2015. CHARLOTTE, N.C. – HIFU Prostate Services, LLC, a leading provider of minimally-invasive prostate cancer treatment, using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (“HIFU”), announced that physician partner John H. Jurige, MD will treat the first patient in the U.S. with minimally invasive HIFU today in Louisville, Ky. at First Urology.

HIFU Prostate Services has partnered with Jurige and First Urology to establish a HIFU Center of Excellence where patients can receive the recently FDA-cleared Sonablate® HIFU treatment. Jurige has been practicing HIFU for over 8 years, has treated nearly 400 patients internationally and has served as lead proctor for training other physicians.

“We now have another powerful weapon against prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men,” said Jurige. “Until now, early stages of prostate cancer have typically been managed with radical prostatectomy surgery or various forms of radiation therapy. Even in the most experienced surgical hands, the surgery can result in urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction in a significant percentage of patients. Radiation therapy has fewer side effects, but the cure rate for most stages of prostate cancer is lower, which is concerning for younger patients.”

“Stage for stage, HIFU produces 10 year cure rates that are similar to surgery. The side effects are low, with fewer than 2% of patients experiencing urinary incontinence and only 10% of patients experiencing erectile dysfunction,” continued Jurige.

In addition to treating patients, the Louisville HIFU Center of Excellence will provide HIFU training and didactic sessions on the technology to the regional urology community as well as present best practices to new HIFU users.  The facility and Jurige will accommodate any urologists that would like to treat their patients in downtown Louisville instead of traveling outside the country.   

“This marks an important milestone in the treatment of prostate cancer for U.S. patients that historically have traveled outside the country to receive the HIFU treatment,” said John W. Linn, chief executive officer, HIFU Prostate Services.  Since 2004, approximately 4,000 U.S. men have been treated outside the U.S. where this technology is approved in over 30 countries.

About HIFU Prostate Services, LLC

At HIFU Prostate Services (HPS), our mission is to partner with physicians 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 high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). HPS was founded in 2015 by a seasoned management team with over 50 years of experience in the health care industry and over 30 years focused on HIFU technologies The company is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C.

For additional information, visit www.hifuprostateservices.com.

About First Urology

First Urology, PSC, which was formed when Metropolitan Urology and Allied Urology joined together as equal partners, is the largest urologic provider in the greater Louisville and southern Indiana area. They offer comprehensive urologic care for men, women and children of all ages. Their physicians are dedicated to finding solutions to a wide range of issues to help patients regain to the quality of life they deserve. For additional information, visit www.1sturology.com.