
Jacksonville's Destination for Personalized Prostate Cancer Care
The most experienced TULSA-Pro prostate treatment doctors in the US—over 20 years, and thousands of patients treated.
HALO Precision Diagnostics Men’s Healthcare Program
Loved by patients. Preferred by physicians.
Our team of experts from multiple specialties is committed to your health and the goal of defeating prostate cancer…together.
Using a comprehensive, impartial approach, we provide customized care to help you reclaim your way of life.
Early detection saves lives
1 https://www.who.int/news-room/facts-in-pictures/detail/cancer 2 Cancer.org 3 Biomarkers and MRI for early PCa detection, https://pubmed.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/32897802 4 seer.cancer.gov
Our Patients Share Their Stories
If you have been diagnosed with Prostate Cancer I strongly recommend that you get in touch with Dr. Scionti and see if you qualify for the HIFU procedure. I believe that it is the best option for a bad situation.
I investigated HIFU on the internet for a different approach to my medical issues. Thank God that I consulted with Dr. Scionti for a different solution to my problem. I had a 3T MRI and a targeted biopsy with Dr. Scionti to accurately localize my cancer. I had the HIFU procedure done on my prostate without any complications of sexual dysfunction or incontinence or pain. I went back to work and playing golf immediately. I am 4 1/2 years post-op, and I have been checked yearly by Dr. Scionti for any recurrence of my cancer with a 3T MRI or an occasional 3T MRI guided biopsy. All is well.
I am so grateful to Dr. Scionti for preserving my life and happiness. His expertise and knowledge of Prostate cancer and treatment are state of the art. Why have sexual dysfunction and incontinence if there is another option?
He prepared us for every aspect of the process, and we understood what to expect. It was better than we expected.After the post-HIFU office visit, my wife and I picked up a nice bottle of wine on the way home to enjoy with dinner.That night I slept well, and the next morning after breakfast went for a short, easy two mile run. It has been just over three years since the HIFU. My life is normal. I exercise as always. Sleep through the night. Have no discomfort. For me HIFU was a wise choice. My experience with Dr. Scionti has been excellent.
Pioneers
of men’s health.
Our team takes a personalized approach to care, guiding patients throughout each phase of genetic testing, screening, diagnosis, and therapies. HALO Precision Diagnostic’s clinical ensemble is changing the way healthcare happens, offering a full view into each patient’s profile and providing physicians with keyinsights designed to better diagnose,understand, treat, and prevent disease.
Over the past 20 years Dr. Stephen Scionti has developed the largest and most experienced practice for prostate cancer treatment using minimally invasive thermal ablation technologies such as HIFU, TULSA-Pro, Cryoablation and Prostate Laser Ablation.
He has achieved global recognition for his experience, skill and groundbreaking clinical contributions in the field of image-guided prostate cancer ablation. He is also an internationally recognized authority in innovative prostate cancer diagnostics. Beyond his practice, Dr. Scionti actively researches and lectures on the outcomes and technology associated with minimally invasive prostate HIFU therapy ablation.
Dr. Scionti formerly served as Clinical Associate Professor of Urology and Director of Prostate Cancer Ablation Surgery at the Joel E. Smilow Comprehensive Prostate Cancer located at the New York University School of Medicine and Langone Medical Center. Prior to his NYU appointment, he was medical director and founder of the Hilton Head, SC International Center for Men’s Health.
Dr. John F. Feller is a founding partner of Desert Medical Imaging and currently the Chief Medical Officer for HALO Diagnostics. He is board-certified as a Diagnostic Radiologist with sub-specialties in Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Imaging, Body MRI, and holds a Level II Cardiac CT certification. Dr. Feller is also a partner in China’s first American-owned multi-disciplinary outpatient healthcare facility, and serves as director of radiology.
After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering and Material Science at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Feller graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ohio State University School of Medicine, then an internship, residency, and fellowship training at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Serving as a United States Air Force (USAF) officer, Dr. Feller was the Chief of MRI at the David Grant USAF Medical Center for four years, while maintaining an academic affiliation with Stanford as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Radiology, an affiliation that lasted 15 years. Currently, Dr. Feller is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Loma Linda University’s Department of Radiology.
Dr. Feller has co-authored many peer-reviewed journal articles, and served as editor for the textbook Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging. He has been invited to over 300 lectures on the subjects of orthopedic imaging, prostate cancer imaging, and body MR imaging.
Through partnerships with manufacturers of medical imaging technology, Dr. Feller has worked to develop new hardware and software for specific advanced imaging applications. Because of these partnerships, HALO Diagnostics (formerly Desert Medical Imaging) has cutting-edge technology available at any give time. Most recently, Dr. Feller started and leads an MRI-based prostate cancer detection and focal therapy program at HALO Diagnostics that has provided care to over 3000 men and he serves on the Founding Board of Directors of the Focal Therapy Society.
Dr. Feller was recently named one of the Top Doctors of 2020 by Palm Springs Life!
Dr. Ilbeigi specializes in advanced laparoscopy, Robotics and minimally invasive surgery involving complex urinary stone disease, reconstructive and female cosmetic reconstruction and urologic oncology. He is the medical director of the Valley Urology Medical Group.
Dr. Ilbeigi has an extensive background in the specialty of Urology and is nationally recognized for his research, as a lecturer in his field and educator including video productions for training other Urologic health professionals involving complex laparoscopic kidney and adrenal surgery, robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and laparoscopic pyeloplasty with concomitant renal stone management.
Dr. Ilbeigi serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology at the New Jersey Medical School and is the Director of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery for Prime Healthcare.
Ara Karamanian, M.D., is board certified as a vascular and interventional radiologist and a diagnostic radiologist. He specializes in prostate MRI and MRI-guided laser treatment for prostate cancer and enlarged prostate (BPH). These procedures offer treatment with fewer side effects than traditional approaches.
Dr. Karamanian’s interest in high-end technologies began early in life. From childhood, he deconstructed and rebuilt devices to understand how they worked. That led him to study biomedical engineering at Duke University prior to medical school. At Duke, he performed research in 3D ultrasound imaging as an undergraduate research fellow.
While in medical school, Dr. Karamanian originally considered orthopedic surgery and co-authored a paper on spine biomechanics. Following medical school, his biomedical engineering background led him to interventional radiology, a field that leverages the power of sophisticated medical imaging equipment to perform minimally invasive procedures.
A devoted father himself, Dr. Karamanian was inspired by his own physician father to enter medicine and use his talents in math and science to make a difference in people’s lives.
As a member of the Society of Interventional Radiology, the American College of Radiology, the Radiological Society of North America, and the American Roentgen Ray Society, Dr. Karamanian closely follows the latest developments in prostate imaging and prostate cancer.
He was co-author of the peer-reviewed paper, “MRI Guided Prostate Interventions,” published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. [1] He also received an award at the GEST 2016 conference for his research with MRI-guided focal laser ablation.
When he isn’t seeing patients or performing minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Karamanian, who edits Manushag Armenian Children’s Magazine, keeps current with global politics and culture. However, he spends most of his time with his family. As an avid soccer fan who supports both the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash teams, he enjoys playing the game with his children, teaching them healthy habits and good values.
About Prostate Cancer Treatment
Concerns about prostate cancer are understandable, but prostate cancer is highly treatable. With the best interventions, most men continue to lead active, healthy lives many years after treatment. The diagnostic tools and treatment options we offer are among the latest and best medical advances available today.
We offer TULSA-PRO for prostate cancer treatment.
A transurethral ultrasound ablation procedure (TULSA-PRO) can more easily cover a wider area than laser focal therapy (LFT) / focal laser ablation (FLA). For patients who have a relatively larger prostate, TULSA-PRO can cover a larger area while having the control of real time thermal feedback.
This is a minimally invasive procedure performed at the Prostate Laser Center (a HALO Diagnostics Company) that combines real-time 3T MRI with robotically-driven directional thermal ultrasound energy to perform subtotal or targeted prostate gland ablation. There are no incisions or radiation.
TULSA-PRO is a customizable, predictable, and incision-free procedure that allows the doctor to tailor the ablation to each patient. Once the boundary lines and volume-to-be-ablated are mapped, the ablation process is computer controlled with real time temperature feedback. The procedure is performed with high-intensity directional ultrasound to ablate tissue in a controlled manner.
Advantages of TULSA-PRO
Decreased Risk of Side Effects
TULSA-PRO has a decreased risk of erectile and urinary side effects compared to whole gland therapy.[1]
Same-Day Outpatient Procedure
TULSA-PRO is performed in a single session that takes a few hours.
Same-Day Outpatient Procedure
TULSA-PRO is performed in a single session that takes a few hours.
Lets You Keep Your Options Open
If you are in need of future prostate care, you may either have a repeat TULSA procedure, or choose any other type of prostate therapy to address your prostate needs.[2]
Advanced Image Guidance
Directional thermal ultrasound and MR imaging with active heat monitoring.
Customizable Treatment Plans
TULSA-PRO is customizable and personalized based on your situation and goals.
Shared Decision Making
Before your TULSA procedure, you will decide with your physician on a treatment plan.
1 Hatiboglu G, Popeneciu V, Bonekamp D, Burtnyk M, Staruch R, Distler F, Radtke JP, Motsch J, Schlemmer HP, Pahernik S and Nyarangi-Dix J (2021) Single-Center Evaluation of Treatment Success Using Two Different Protocols for MRI–Guided Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation of Localized Prostate Cancer. Front. Oncol. 11:782546. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2021.782546 | 2 Nair, S.M., Stern, N., Dewar, M. et al. (2020). Salvage open radical prostatectomy for recurrent prostate cancer following MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation (TULSA) of the prostate: Feasibility and efficacy. Scandinavian Journal of Urology, 54(3), 215-219. doi: 10.1080/21681805.2020.1752795
Prostate cancer is a common cancer that typically grows slowly and often doesn’t require treatment. However, for a small percentage of men, this disease can be aggressive and spread quickly to other parts of the body.
Screening
The only way to know if you are in a high-risk group or have prostate cancer is to get screened regularly.
At HALO Precision Diagnostics, our individualized approach to screening is based on your age, family history, ethnicity, and lifestyle.
We are proud to offer advanced diagnostics that incorporate the four most important new technologies:
- Urine Biomarkers
- 3T Multiparametric MR Imaging & 3D Prostate Mapping
- Fusion-Guided Targeted Biopsy and 3D Tumor Mapping Genomics
- Blood Test
If your prostate screenings have indicated the presence of cancer, the next step is a biopsy to identify what type of cancer is present. At HALO Precision Diagnostics, we use the most advanced technologies like MRI-guided biopsy. Targeted biopsies have been shown to improve detection of aggressive prostate cancers.1
Diagnosis
Our state-of-the-art diagnostic approaches include:
- MRI-guided biopsy
- MRI/Ultrasound Fusion Guided Biopsy
Additionally, we offer genetic testing to further diagnose what type of cancer is present and to help determine the most personalizedtreatment approach.
Positive biopsy results can be sent to reveal the underlying biology of the tumor and determine a genomic risk score.
1. Siddiqui MM, Rais-Bahrami S, Turkbey B, et al. Comparison of MR/Ultrasound Fusion–Guided Biopsy With Ultrasound-Guided Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. JAMA. 2015;313(4):390-397.
READ ON to learn about our advanced prostate treatment approaches, schedule a consultation, and download our whitepaper, Advances in Diagnosing and Treating Prostate Cancer. We believe the best outcomes come from the most informed decisions.