GILBERT, Ariz. (June 26, 2026) – Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center is revolutionizing prostate cancer treatment by becoming the first hospital system in Arizona to introduce the Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA) procedure to its patients. The innovative and less-invasive treatment option uses high temperatures to destroy one’s prostate cancer.
The ablation is performed inside an MRI scanner, allowing doctors to see the prostate and surrounding area to plan and adjust the treatment in real time. No incisions or cutting are required. A small device is placed through the urethra before sending ultrasound energy to heat and destroy the cancerous prostate tissue. At the same time, the procedure actively cools the urethra and rectum to help preserve the patients’ natural functions.
"What makes this technique particularly appealing is the convenience and reduced recovery time for our patients,” said Daniel Nethala, MD, a urological surgical oncologist with Banner MD Anderson. “They can receive highly sophisticated treatment and return home the same day. For many men facing a prostate cancer diagnosis, having access to this minimally invasive option is game-changing.”
The procedure also gives patients an alternative to radical prostatectomy, which calls for the removal of the prostate gland, and is the standard of care treatment.
“Having these treatment choices, all conveniently available right here in Arizona, empowers patients and their families to make informed decisions that align with their lifestyle," said Joseph Mashni, MD, a genitourinary surgical oncologist with Banner MD Anderson.
The ablation is done in a single session setting under general anesthesia, with no radiation and no hospital stay. It is available to select non-metastatic prostate cancer patients. The procedure can also be used for benign prostate enlargement.
"Being the first hospital system in Arizona to offer the TULSA procedure reflects our promise to continuously push the boundaries of what's possible in cancer treatment,” said Darren McCollem, chief executive officer of Banner Gateway Medical Center and Banner MD Anderson’s program on the Gateway campus. “Our patients shouldn't have to travel out of state to access cutting-edge therapies. By investing in innovations like this, we're ensuring that Arizonans receive the most patient-centered care, right here at home."
Please call 480-256-6444 to learn if you are a candidate for the TULSA procedure at Banner MD Anderson.
About Banner Health
As one of the nation's largest fully integrated nonprofit health systems, we are pioneering a sustainable care model that prioritizes prevention, manages chronic disease, and reduces health spending – succeeding when patients stay healthy, not when they get sick. We operate 33 hospitals and more than 400 sites across six states, delivering seamless care from primary to quaternary medicine, including health insurance, physician networks, world-renowned specialty services, and behavioral health. Accountable to the communities we serve, we reinvest every dollar into advancing care, research, and facilities, providing more than $1 billion each year in community benefit. Through our partnership with the University of Arizona, we drive clinical discoveries across more than 800 trials and train more than 1,300 residents and fellows annually. Headquartered in Arizona, we serve Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming. Our hospitals are consistently ranked among Arizona's top-performing by U.S. News & World Report. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com/about.
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