Hifu Sonablast 500 Vs. Ablothem Edap Or Robotic Vs Radical Prostatecomy

The particulars of my diagnosis are: Gleason Score 3+3, # Cores Pos 4/6, Prostate Vol. 28cc/28 grams, PSA 7.7, Free/Total PSA Ratio 16,
Bone Scan Ned, MRI Localized to Prostate.

HIFU appears to be the least invasive; and, there appears to be contradictory information as to Sonablast 500 (real time) Vs. Ablothem EDAP (claims to have higher success rate than Sonablast based on lowered PSA scores).

Then there is Robotic Radical Prosatatecomy Vs Radical Prostatecomy. The Radical is favored over the Robotic by my primary Urologist.

I would appreciate responses to experience/research on HIFU as well as Robotic vs standard Radical Prostatecomy.

I am facing a similar situation. What deciions did you make?

Don

Robotic V open surgery:
SELECTION OF SURGEON is the important thing,rather than the method employed. Top surgeons produce good results with fewer side effects.
Robotic/ laparasopic has mainly short term advantages with little blood loss and quicker recovery time.

HIFU 500 V EDAP: Although some look at hifu as new, it has been used in Japan and Europe for some years. The technology has improved a lot recently, with few adverse side effects. Suggested that 500 is effective in locating nerve areas if that's a consideration.
Again, choice of doctor would be a prime consideration.

John

Don:

I am definitely going for the HIFU and will make the determination of which (Sonablast or Ablothem) the first week of September (I am awaiting more information because of seasonal reduction in OR staff in Italy).

The Sonoblast 500 procudure in Italy is 4400 euro all inclusive.

What appears to be an objective analysis of existing clinical data that compares the two devises can be found at http://www.hifu.ca/pdf/Rewcastle%202006%20HIFU%20Update.pdf

Will keep you and all others on this site posted; and, you may contact me at --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----for more particulars of the extensive research I have done.

Drvirgil - I have been researching HIFU for the past few weeks and have also looked into the differences between Ablathem and Sonablate 500. I read the Rewcastle pdf but did not come up with anything definative about one technology being better than another. It does look like the Sonablate 500 can treat a larger prostate (up to 45 or 50cc) and Ablatherm can treat up to 40cc. So far the prices in Canada, Mexico and Britain are in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. I have heard that HIFU is less expensive in Europe, Japan, and Australia, but have not been able to get those prices yet. I am interested in any information you can tell me about treatment in Italy - doctors, hospitals, patient testimonials etc. -David10

Drvirgil - I have been researching HIFU for the past few weeks and have also looked into the differences between Ablathem and Sonablate 500. I read the Rewcastle pdf but did not come up with anything definative about one technology being better than another. It does look like the Sonablate 500 can treat a larger prostate (up to 45 or 50cc) and Ablatherm can treat up to 40cc. So far the prices in Canada, Mexico and Britain are in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. I have heard that HIFU is less expensive in Europe, Japan, and Australia, but have not been able to get those prices yet. I am interested in any information you can tell me about treatment in Italy - doctors, hospitals, patient testimonials etc. -David10