As part of the largest academic health system in West Central Florida, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel recently became the only facility within BayCare’s five-county service area to offer the TULSA Procedure™ (Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation), an innovative, incision-free treatment for men with prostate cancer.
Performed inside an MRI scanner, the procedure allows physicians to visualize the prostate in real time and uses precise directional ultrasound energy to gently remove problematic prostate tissue. This highly controlled approach protects healthy tissue and minimizes the risk to surrounding anatomy, providing faster recovery and better functional outcomes than traditional prostate treatments.
“With a third of men over the age of 65 diagnosed with prostate disease each year, and one in eight men diagnosed with prostate cancer over their lifetime, we’re excited to offer a new, non-surgical, treatment option that is changing the standard for how care is delivered,” said Dr. Anand Nayee, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel’s chief medical officer.
A minimally invasive outpatient treatment, the procedure is used for men with localized prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or recurrent prostate cancer that has not responded to other therapies. Performed under general anesthesia, it typically takes two to three hours, depending on the treatment area, and patients can return home the same day.
“Since the hospital opened three years ago, our commitment has been to create an environment where technology thrives so that we can deliver the highest-quality care right here in Wesley Chapel,” said BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel Director of Operations Bill Sedey. “Offering advanced technology such as TULSA-PRO is a great example of that commitment.”
To date, about 25 men have undergone the MRI-guided, non-surgical procedure at BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel, many of whom traveled from across the country to receive care. National data indicates a 95% reduction in Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) levels among TULSA-PRO patients and encouraging early results from BHWC patients indicate similar success.
Learn more: Urology Services at BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel
