The Prostate Centre (TPC) has introduced High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) for prostate cancer treatment, becoming the first medical facility in Nigeria, as well as West and Central Africa, to offer the AI-driven therapy. The milestone marks a significant step forward in the country’s fight against the disease.
The HIFU system delivers precise ultrasound energy directly to cancerous cells in the prostate, destroying them while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. The non-invasive procedure requires no incisions, allowing patients to return home the same day.
Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, a consultant urological, laparoscopic, and robotic surgeon at TPC, described the technology as “small but mighty.” Guided by artificial intelligence, the fully automated system identifies the targeted area and initiates treatment with a single click. Real-time visual feedback confirms when the cancer has been eliminated, after which the machine shuts off automatically.
“This is focal therapy at its finest. We can eradicate the cancer while preserving the prostate, maintaining erectile function and fertility. Patients experience minimal discomfort, no incontinence, and can resume daily activities immediately,” Ekwueme explained.
HIFU offers a major improvement over traditional treatments, which often carry risks of urinary leakage, loss of sexual function, and reduced fertility. With the AI-powered system, these complications are largely avoided, giving patients a safer, more comfortable alternative.
The introduction of HIFU follows other groundbreaking innovations by TPC this year, including robotic surgery and UroLift therapy for enlarged prostates. Ekwueme emphasized that Nigerian medical professionals have undergone extensive training to safely deliver this advanced therapy, reducing the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.
“As Nigeria embraces AI-driven healthcare solutions, the HIFU system at The Prostate Centre signals a new era in cancer care, combining precision, safety, and patient-centred treatment in one package,” he said.
Prostate cancer remains the most common cancer in men. Ekwueme affirmed that the goal is to provide Nigerian men with access to world-class care locally and at an affordable cost. “This is a historic moment for medical care in Nigeria and a step forward in reducing the burden of prostate cancer across Africa,” he added.