When Will Neris, a math professor, was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 39, he feared the impact of treatment on his quality of life. Concerned about potential side effects such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, Neris sought care from Dr. Bruno Nahar, a urologic oncologist at the Desai Sethi Urology Institute, which is part of the University of Miami Health System.
Dr. Nahar explained that while prostate cancer is more common in older men, younger patients can also be affected. “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.
Given Neris’s age and the size of his tumor, Dr. Nahar recommended High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), a procedure designed to minimize side effects by targeting only the area where the cancer is located. “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.
The Desai Sethi Urology Institute collaborates with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center to provide precision medicine for patients like Neris through multidisciplinary teams that develop individualized treatment plans. “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.
After undergoing HIFU treatment and returning to normal activities—including exercise—Neris reports few lingering issues from his diagnosis or procedure: “Sometimes I forget I had prostate cancer. Everything is functioning the way it should,” Will says.
He continues regular monitoring with PSA tests every three months and encourages other men to get screened for prostate cancer early: “Life is precious, right? Thank you for giving me hope and extending my life,” Will says.
