HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment Provides Optimal Results and No Side Effects for Brighton Former Auto Executive

With a successful automotive career, 50-year marriage, three sons and nine grandchildren, John Bellanti has much to be thankful for. Adding to the list the last couple of years is a successful minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment performed at Henry Ford that has left him with no evidence of prostate cancer or side effects from the treatment.

Regular prostate screening leads to early detection

Bellanti, who worked at General Motors and most recently at American Axle and Manufacturing as executive vice president worldwide operations before his retirement in 2013, says his father had prostate cancer so despite his busy schedule he made it a priority to be screened on a regular basis. Starting in 2019 his yearly prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test started to creep up which can be a sign of prostate cancer. “My primary care physician suggested follow-up care with a specialist since the PSA test was in the borderline range.”

Bellanti’s wife Mary Ann had successful kidney cancer treatment with Craig Rogers MD, chair of Department of Urology, Vattikuti Urology Institute at Henry Ford Health, about a decade earlier. Her positive experience pointed Bellanti to Dr. Rogers for further evaluation. “She had successful robotic surgery with Dr. Rogers and it was a fantastic experience with him. Coincidentally, someone I played golf with also had successful prostate cancer treatment with Dr. Rogers and highly recommended him, so my choice was clear,” he expresses.

Follow-up tests with Dr. Rogers included a prostate MRI which showed a suspicious spot for cancer on one side of the prostate. An image-guided targeted biopsy confirmed this area to be prostate cancer of an intermediate grade. Dr. Rogers explains fortunately Bellanti was able to benefit from a newer minimally invasive advancement in prostate cancer treatment called high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) available at Henry Ford Health which offers several advantages over the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland.

“The HIFU procedure uses high frequency ultrasound waves to generate heat to destroy localized prostate cancer while sparing other parts of the gland,” says Dr. Rogers. “This can help reduce side effects of treatments for the entire prostate cancer, which could include impotence or urinary incontinence.”

Dr. Rogers explains this procedure may be an option for select patients diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who are not interested in active surveillance and who want to avoid treatments that involve the entire prostate, such as prostatectomy surgery or radiation. “HIFU is a form of focal therapy that offers a middle ground approach to help patients maintain their quality of life,” he notes.

With minimal recovery needed Bellanti is back to enjoying activities he loves doing

Bellanti says the toughest part of the recovery after the procedure was the catheter required for about one week after treatment. After this period, he was able to go back to his normal life without disruption including enjoying his hobbies as an avid golfer, collector of model trains as well as gardening and growing vegetables.

A pitch for screening regularly for prostate cancer

With successful treatment behind him, Bellanti continues what he started before his prostate cancer diagnosis and undergoes screening and follow-up care to make sure there is no evidence of cancer. He says so far so good almost two years out from his treatment.

“My MRI and follow up tests show no evidence of cancer. I would encourage men to get screened on a regular basis so that if cancer should be present, hopefully it’s caught early and minimally invasive options are an option for treatment with less potential side-effects.”

For further information visit Prostate Cancer Treatment at Henry Ford Health.