Michelle,
IMHO, depending on his PSA level and Gleason score, I would take my time to determine the treatment. He would probably fall under the category of the wait and see method. His low grade and if contained in the prostrate would allow him more time than me to make a decision.
I suspect I was at his level maybe 3-5 years ago, who knows. I have not had a PSA test done before so I just caught this. That and the DRE is what triggered me to get a Biopsy. In the USAF we had DREs done with our physicals every year so I know I didn't have this in 2003 or before that when I retired or at least it didn't show up in the DRE and I'm not sure if I had PSA levels taken then since I was under 50.
As long as it doesn't spread rapidly, this may give him more time to evaluate. I can't wait in my situation since I am now grounded due to my FAA medical being invalid, thus I can't fly anymore till I get it back. My company is letting me do paperwork so I can continue to pull an income and insurance but that won't last long since my original job description is Pilot.
I would also have him take the Slides and data to another pathologist since they do make mistakes and his level is low enough to possibly fall under that category. (Might even be a false reading)
Robotic surgery makes smaller incisions than outright surgery and it causes less bleeding, infections, etc. It's also easier to spare the nerves and maybe less side effects but that all depends on the doctor running the machine!
The HIFU will ablate the prostate and leave a shell, but it shouldn't damage other vital areas like surgery can if the surgeon doesn't do his job well.
I want better ods than just hoping for all of the factors to come out in my favor. (perfect surgery, no infections, no major side effects)
I look at the hard statistics:
What procedure gives the best results overall: Incontinence % E.D %, cured past 5-10 years? (No doctor will ever guarantee anyone past that time frame anyway, regardless of the type of aliment)
Nothing is guaranteed even if you have radical surgery. One patient noted on another website that he had a relapse in another area of his body after the prostrate was removed by surgery after a few years. Either the cells migrated after the surgery (was moved into another area while cutting) or the cancer decided to find some other tissues to feed on.
No surgeon will ever be able to see microscopic cells or position his knife as accurate as a computer. If done right HIFU will not directly touch the prostrate or move the cells into another areas. It just ablates the tissue in place using 3D imaging for proper placement. This also allows for another treatment if you need it.
In fact I'm now worried that the Biopsy could have moved the tumor samples into other parts of my body nearby. 12 needles taking samples could have very easily pushed it outside my prostrate capsule.
Randy