Bruno Nahar, M.D., is a urologic oncologist at Desai Sethi Urology Institute, part of the University of Miami Health System, and member of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. For more information on prostate cancer treatment and services, click here or visit the UHealth Collective:
MEET WILL NERIS:
When Will Neris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in his 30’s, he thought life as he knew it was over.
“I’m 39 and I have this thing called prostate cancer. Is this it?” Will said.
The math professor worried about potential side effects from treatment. He went to see Bruno Nahar, M.D., a urologic oncologist at Desai Sethi Urology Institute, part of the University of Miami Health System.
“One in every eight men will have prostate cancer during their lifetime. It’s more common in older men, but younger patients might also be at risk. Traditionally, we would offer surgery or radiation therapy. But they do come with side effects that can potentially affect a man’s quality of life, particularly erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence,” says Dr. Nahar.
Because of his age and the size of the tumor, Dr. Nahar said Will was the perfect candidate for the HIFU procedure. This allowed him to have fewer side effects and maintain normal function.
“HIFU stands for High Intensity Focused Ultrasound. It’s essentially very precise and targeted ultrasound waves that we deliver to the prostate to treat only the area where the cancer is, and we save the rest of the prostate. The goal is basically to treat the cancer and minimize side effects by just treating the cancer. The approach is called focal therapy,” Dr. Nahar says.
Desai Sethi Urology Institute and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center work together to offer precision medicine—helping patients like Will get targeted care and renewed hope.
“Every single patient who comes with prostate cancer gets reviewed by a multidisciplinary team, which includes a urologist, a radiologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, pathologist. So, we sit together, and we come up with a personalized plan or a tailored plan specific for that patient,” says Dr. Nahar.
“Sometimes I forget I had prostate cancer. Everything is functioning the way it should,” Will says.
Will says working out after the HIFU procedure helps to keep his mind and body fit.
“It helps mentally to keep yourself moving but also helping again build the pelvic floor muscles,” says Will.
He gets his PSA checked every three months. Will is grateful to Dr. Nahar and encourages all men to get screened.
“Life is precious, right? Thank you for giving me hope and extending my life,” Will says.
FOCUSING ON YOU
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