What Is TULSA?

TULSA is a minimally invasive, incisionless outpatient procedure that uses MRI imaging and transurethral ultrasound to target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue. This treatment focuses on specific parts of the prostate rather than the entire prostate, allowing for improved precision and accuracy and fewer side effects than traditional whole gland radiation therapy.

What Does TULSA Treat?

TULSA treats intermediate risk prostate cancer and, in some cases, noncancerous prostate conditions such as an enlarged prostate and, in some cases, radio-recurrent prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Before TULSA was made available, patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer would require radiation therapy or surgery, which often produces unpleasant side effects. Well-selected patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer can now receive TULSA, a less invasive and disruptive treatment option.

Who Is a Good Candidate for TULSA?

Patients with intermediate risk prostate cancer are often good candidates for TULSA, as well as patients who have undergone radiation therapy for prostate cancer, but the cancer has returned to the prostate without spreading to other parts of the body. In addition, patients with an enlarged prostate may also be good candidates for this treatment.

Several medical and practical evaluations must occur before TULSA treatment can be offered, and not everyone will be considered an ideal candidate.

Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if TULSA is right for you.

Preparing for TULSA

In preparation for this procedure, you will be prescribed a bowel prep regimen, which your care team will explain in detail. The day before your procedure, you should not eat after midnight due to the use of general anesthesia for sedation.

What to Expect During Treatment

After the patient is sedated under general anesthesia, an ultrasound device is inserted into the urethra and a cooling agent is inserted into the rectum. The urologist will then use MRI imaging in tandem with the ultrasound device to precisely target and ablate (heat up) the tissue and destroy it.

After Treatment

After the procedure, patients typically go home the same day; however, catheters may be needed for up to two weeks. Patients may experience minimal pain, which is managed by the care team, and most patients feel well enough to be up and walking the day after the procedure.