HIFU Focal Therapy

Hi Gaz 

I think it is available on the NHS in fact thought I read that there were now more centres.

Try London or Southampton but am sure there are others.

I have read a few success stories but don't think there are many long term stats.

Hopefully someone will post who has had the treatment.

Steve 

looking at there web site its £250 for them to look over any test you may have had, then if you are within the range £14,000  unless you have insurance. 

https://www.thefocaltherapyclinic.co.uk/prostate-cancer-facts/

www.thefocaltherapyclinic.co.uk/.../

But that's a private clinic, def available on nhs

HIFU is a treatment option when the cancer is contained within the prostate and is accessible to the probe that is used. There are private providers in the UK but Germany seems to do a lot more treatments. Some NHS trusts will cover HIFU which tends to be carried out at UCLH, London.

if you go on prostate cancer UK site, join the forum and look up Old Barry he has written quite a lot about it

Hi, I've opted for HIFU and have the treatment next week. I think some NHS offer it but not mine so I'm going private. Direct message me if you need more details. I did have a private mpMRI and then a fusion biopsy. The results didn't really match the NHS biopsy but decided to give HiFU a go and see what happens. My understanding is that it doesn't stop me from having more invasive treatment prostatectomy/Brachytherapy further down the line.

Hey 123 

Hope you are doing well. Would you be kind to share your experience of HIFU and how it’s been.

thank you

Hi PGS,

So far, so good.  Just over 6 months after treatment.  I think HiFU is less invasive than the other treatments that were offered to me (Brachytherapy or Prostatectomy).  This meant recovery was relatively quick, I think I was back to exercising after 6 weeks. The catheter was a little annoying and took me a while to get used to, but was removed after a week.

No problems with incontinence, in the early days I had the urge to go to the toilet quickly but that seems to have got much better over time.  I think I had 2 days off work (I work from home).

I'm now under surveillance, working out my 'normal' PSA.  I wasn't sure how I was going to cope with this, building up to the blood test and the result but it's been fine, especially when you compare it to other experiences in this community.

My pre-operation PSA was 5.14.  Since the operation, I've had 2 more PSA tests which were 3.49 and 3.7 respectively.  The consultant plan has always been 3 monthly PSA tests for a year post-op then another mpMRI scan. He doesn't seem too concerned about the rise in PSA from my most recent blood test, even pre-op my PSA was up/down a little.

I take Tadalafil for ED which has helped, still working out if there is anything else that I can do in this area.  Pre-op I was more worried about the incontinence side of things.

Hope that helps and good luck.

Thank you 123 and good to hear your experience as I am currently looking through all the available options and then decide. Down to either Prostatectomy or Focal if they decide it would be a better option and I am a suitable candidate. Have had my 2nd MRI after the initial MRI & Biopsy and the team meeting is next Monday.

You are absolutely correct that HIFU is much less invasive. 

Have accepted that there will be side effects, albeit more with the surgery. 

Where did you have your treatment?

I went private through my work medical insurance. The consultant is Mr Nigam who is based in London or Guildford, I usually go to Mount Alvernia in Guildford.  I was a day patient for HifU.  HiFU was not available on my NHS (the choices seemed to be Prostatectomy or LDR Brachytherapy).  My Gleason changed between the two biopsies initially diagnosed 3+3 on NHS but that changed to 3+4 after the targeted biopsy after the private mpMRI showed two lesions.

I found it a little strange that the decision seemed to be patient choice, especially without an obvious best treatment.

So I decided to try the HifU first and if it isn't successful I believe I can still have a prostatectomy.

I did have a BRCA2 gene test before the HiFU treatment, which came back negative.  I have strong family history of PC (dad and younger brother) and there is breast cancer in the family.  I think the consultant's advice was if BRCA2 was positive then prostatectomy would be a better option for me.

Where is your treatment taking place?

Many thanks and for sharing as it helps tremendously. Thank you.

With family history of course it is extremely important to keep getting tested regularly.

Diagnosis was difficult but deciding what treatment to go for even harder!

My case was referred to UCLH London as wanted to pursue Focal Therapy. When they had their meeting they decided they wanted a new MRI as the original was of poor quality. So had that and my case is down for discussion next Monday and then will decide based on what their recommendation is.

My Gleason was 3+4.

Problem is every new test etc takes time and  adds to anxiety. But getting closer now.

Mr Nigam is at UCLH in Urology team and they have lot of experience in that deptt so you were in good hands. In fact they have the largest Focal Therapy deptt.

My thinking is same as yours and if Focal does not work then go for the surgery but let’s see what their recommendation is and take it from thereon.