High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound in Treating Patients With Locally Recurrent Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed locally recurrent prostate cancer after prior brachytherapy or external-beam radiotherapy for initial diagnosis of organ-confined disease (clinical stage T1 or T2 only) Prostatic fossa biopsy positive for cancer cells Gleason score no greater than 7 PSA levels 0.5-10 ng/mL Able to adequately visualize local recurrence on transrectal ultrasound imaging No prostate calcification greater than 5 mm No metastases by bone scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 40 to 80 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No bleeding disorder as determined by abnormal PT and PTT Renal: No active urinary tract infection No history of urinary bladder neck contracture Other: No prior allergy to latex No Anesthesia Surgical Assignment (ASA) category IV or greater No interest in future fertility No history of inflammatory bowel disease No other concurrent major nonmalignant debilitating illness No other prior or concurrent malignancy except skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy for prostate cancer Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer Endocrine therapy: At least 3 months since prior hormonal therapy (including finasteride) for prostate cancer Radiotherapy: See Disease Characteristics Surgery: See Disease Characteristics No prior radical prostatectomy No prior transurethral resection of prostate No prior urethral stent No prior major rectal surgery Other: No prior thermotherapy No other prior therapy for prostate cancer No concurrent warfarin or other anticoagulant