Prostate Cancer

[ajax100]

This is used in numerous countries for prostate cancer I have followed it with some intensity. I had thought that HIFU would be focused enough that only the tumor could be "burned" away. But now I get the impression that the entire gland is eliminated, just as the older treatments, e.g. surgery & radiation. Does anyone on the forum have an opinion about this?

thank you

[FloridaRetired]

Before I had Greenlight Laser treatment, for my enlarged prostate, I researched anything and everything I could find, including speaking with various professionals and previous patients about the treatment options for prostate cancer. I also have 1st stage prostate cancer. In order of preference:

HIFU
Proton Beam
IMRT (modulated radiation beam)

HIFU, I have determined, is the best and least complicated. However, it is only available outside the USA, in Europe, Canada, and a few other countries. Only clinical trials are conducted in the USA and it is difficult to qualify. Don't want to spend $24,000 to have HIFU done in Canada. Insurance will not pay for it if the procedure does not have FDA approval, which it does not yet have. HIFU is where the entire prostate is ablated (vaporized) and is minimally invasive to surrounding organs and tissue. Does not effect sexual function and there is very little incontinence.

Proton Beam is a schedule of 30 to 40 treatments, 1-3 minutes each, over that many days. It's a type of radiation (Proton beam as opposed to Photon beam, which is the standard radiation) and is somewhat safer than IMRT the standard Photon beam). This procedure treats the entire prostate, kills the cancer, and reduces the size of the prostate immeasurably. Does not effect sexual function and there is very little incontinence.

IMRT beam is exactly the same procedure as Proton Beam except that Photon (xray beams) are utilized. There is a little bit more chance of impotence and incontinence with this treatment. But, it is still very safe.

The is also Cyberknife. A form of IMRT that is more precise than IMRT. Newer technique that allows the computer to track the exact position of the prostate continuously during the procedure. The Cyberknife procedure is a single treatment that lasts about 2 hours. More expensive than any of the above and some insurance will not pay for it.

[kdunbar]

Obviously HIFU has to cover the entire prostate, otherwise some cancer cells may not be killed. The gold standard is still surgery.