Hifu

[dabaker]

Ive just had another psa done and its tripled to 27 in three years gleason score of 6 and 2 biopsys of 5%  one core in each case. MRI shows a moderate tumor in the anteiorly to the apex nothing in seminal vesicals or lymp nodes. Scheduled for ablatherm hifu at end of Oct. but still wondering if I should have Lapriscopic or sonoblate treatment

[HIFUed]

From what I know you are doing the right thing by going HIFU.  PSA doesn't matter except in the clinical trials.  HIFU is the same procedure as radiation, it targets the tissue inside the gland, only HIFU cooks the tissue whereas radiation changes the DNA so the cancer will self destruct, but radiation keeps on giving...if you know what I mean.  Surgery has the risk of cutting, and with the cancer so close to the outof bounds, well, that's a big risk, they may decide (once inside you) that they need to take surrounding tissue and there goes your function.

Japan has studies showing a 97% 5 year cure rate for your cancer.  I doubt surgery can boast the same.

Good luck to you, but with chosing the Sonablate I think you're in for a great life ahead.

[HIFUed]

BTW, that Japanese study was on HIFU & Sonablate.

Oops, just read that you are going with Albatherm, all I know is the doctor cannot manually operate the machine to accomodate any tissue that may fall outside the scope.  Ask your doctor, as I heard that the Albatherm has made changes, but does your doctor have the new machine and can the new machine be manually operated, just in case your gland falls outside the preset limit, also if your doctor sees cancer outside the gland is he capable of cooking that as well.?  They can with the Sonablate.  I'd only go with Sonablate, as I had a great outcome, no problems, but the experience of the doctor is very important too.  They use the Sonablate in Toronto.

What size is your gland?  as you will need a TURP if it's over 25cc.  Another reason to go Sonablate, as a TURP can cause scarring which can cause incontinence.

[HIFUed]

the Sonablate can accomodate a gland up to 40cc