Hifu

I have T2b, gleason 4+3, 8.9 psa prostate cancer. I am considering HIFU. There was comunication on this net in 2005 about different folks electing to use HIFU. I would love to hear progress reports from anyone who has had it.
The cost for treatment varies from $10k (Japan) to 23k (Canada) Any info would be highly appreciated.

Don

Don
You dont say how old you are or the stage of your cancer, but it looks like early stage disease. Have you compared HIFU to RP? RP is a cure for early stage disease. Im not sure we know much about HIFU yet. Do you believe the side effects are better with HIFU?

In response,

Hello,

In responsw to your post, I am 64 years old with
T2b cancer.
An update as to my last consultation with my urologist. Upon examining both sets of negatives we feel the cancer is confined to the prostrate. Praise God! I know that there are other tests that are more accurate in detecting outside the prostate cancer, like the "Color Doppler Ultrasound Spectroscopy" , but they are a long way from me, so I won't be pursuing that testing.

What we also found is not great news. One of my kidneys is down in the pelvic area and has a large sist attached to it. This kidney is actually touching my bladder. My urologist said he does not have the ability to do a RP and has advised I seek a professional. Soooo, back to the drawing board. I am still pursuing HIFU because of it being less intrusive, better chance of having less side effects, but to throw the kidney problem into the arena, I'm not sure. The money is also a big factor too. So, I'm back to looking at robot laparoscopic at Henry Ford Hospitalmore seriously (if they will do it because of the kidney problem). I will be making lots of phone calls again today.

Don

yes, cost would be an issue for most. Other options include seed implants and cryotherapy but at the least I would think you would want hormone therapy if surgery is not an option. Let us know what happens.

I do have an appintment w/Dr. Mani Menon Director of Vattikuti Urology Institute, in Detroit. We sent him all our records, biopsies, e-ray films. We are looking forward to his opinion.

Will post.

Thanks for your input.

Don

Don, there are some clinical trials starting up this month. I think its www.clinicaltrials.gov.

The HIFU sounds interesting but I am more concerned about what "if" there is recurrence. I'm 54. I have an appointment for Oct. 10th with the HIFU doctor whose involved with the trials.

I, too, am looking seriously at HIFU and would appreciate knowing where one goes for a consultation on this procedure? Thank you, John