SSM Health SLU Hospital Performs 1st TULSA Procedure for Prostate Cancer Patients

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital (SLU-H) is the first and only hospital in Missouri and the larger Midwest region to perform a new innovative and less-invasive prostate cancer procedure. 

The transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that uses directional ultrasound to produce very high temperatures to ablate or destroy targeted prostate tissue for prostate cancer.  Dr. Sameer Siddiqui, SLU SOM Chair of Surgery and urologist at SSM Health SLU Hospital, says the TULSA procedure is a game-changer for patients battling prostate cancer but also has incredible advancements for the patient’s experience.

The procedure offers new hope for patients battling prostate cancer.  It's less invasive than traditional options and the side effects are better.  Patients are placed in an MRI machine and they are put to sleep. "While in the MRI machine, we can actually see their prostrate in real-time," said Siddiqui.  "We then place an ultrasound probe through the urethra and the probe actually heats up the prostate and it's that heating mechanism that actually kills the cancer cells." The procedure takes about three hours and patients are able to go home the same day.  "This is a major step forward in providing a new type of option to our patients," said Siddiqui.