Pros And Cons Of Hifu

I am 69 years old and I have just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. My PSA is 8.5. I am leaning towards HIFU treatment. Can anyone who has had this treatment let me know the pros and cons and/or complications? Also how long does it take for the PSA to come down after the treatment? I have been given the price of $17,000 approx. in Toronto, Canada. Has anyone else had this done in Canada. Any other relevant information you may have would be greatly appreciated for me to make my decision.

Thank you
Jim

Do you know your gleason score from the biopsy? Is it localized or have they identified any mets? These questions will help determine standard treatment. I wouldnt spend $17K unless I had to!

The gleason is 7 and it is localized. After reviewing all the treatments this is the one I am leaning towards. I realize there are treatments at no cost to me however paying $17,000 is not an issue.

Any info would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Jim

Thanks for the info. Your cancer is localized and treatable. Assuming you have at least a 10 year life expectancy left, your normal options would be RP or RT. I agree those arent great options, however HIFU is a new procedure that isnt approved in the US yet. It does sound like it could be good but I'm not sure there is enough data to compare it to other options. The data that I have seen rates the HIFU disease free survival about the same as RP and RT. You could make the arguement that if the disease free survival rates are about the same and the side effects are less, then its worth a try. If money is no option, thats a good point.
Do you have a spot picked out? I think you can go to Mexico or Canada. I would ask them for their data on survival and side effects. Thats not great, since its not a study, but its something. You might also look into clinical trials in the US that use HIFU. I believe there are some. Best of luck. I would be interested to know what happens.

Hi Jim
Don't know what your Gleason is. Can you get it please? I would not leave other treatments aside: IMRT with BAT, Seed Implants and even Surgery,still are good solutions to your problem. HIFU is not yet allowed in the US and we don't know why.There is not enough history to evaluate HIFU and you don't want to be a guinea pig, for sure. MD's should prove to you they have the right data to prove their adequacy.
Same happens to cryo and proton
All the best
James2

I am also looking at getting HIFU. What I have found out so far is. The treatment is the same no matter where it is done. Europe seams to be the best price. 8000 Euros, Japan $ 10,000.00 US dollars. Australia $12,000.00 US dollars. USA or Canada $ 20,000.00 US dollars.

Questions to ask are they using the Sonablate 500 machine?

Are they using the new Doppler software?

I do not know where I will have it done yet, but will have it done in the next three months.

Another question to ask if they have to reteat you how much money for retreatment?

Australia said $ 1000.00 for retreatment.

Keep in touch and if you find out anything new.

Good Luck