HIFU

Hello Whittaker 

As far as I am aware in the NHS - HIFU has only so far been offered as part of clinical trials. Things might have changed but that was my understanding before Christmas.

Best wishes - Brian.

I read some time ago that UCLH have offered it for many years, it doesn't say only clinical trials but obviously u would need to check that.

Also a couple of hospitals in the Guilford area offer it, again u would need to check if they cater for anyone.

Steve 

1. Hi guys I only found out the other week my neighbour had it 2 years ago and paid 12 grand but so far so good I think 

I was quoted around £16K but further investigation concerned me as I think 1 in 4 have a chance of needing further treatment  within 5 years , also not same extent as RT but if RP is needed at later stage think it makes it a bit more difficult because of scaring on prostrate 

Thank you.  My OH had the prostatectomy 3 years ago and now has a recurrence.   Started RT last week but has had a severe reaction and has had to stop treatment.  We are looking for an alternative and I read that they were now offering HIFU for a recurrence 

Hi !

Any mentioning I’ve seen looking at HIFU as treatment therapy for prostate cancer is typical focal therapy; inside parts of the prostate

From my amateur point of view,HIFU as a salvage for someone already having had prostatectomy doesn’t sound likely. But, like I said, I’m an amateur and perhaps you can use HIFU on other lessions outside prostate as long a you can aim the HIFU at something.

I’ve seen it in studies and trials as salvage after recurrence from primary radiation inside the prostate. That or Cryo but only after local recurrence inside prostate which of course is not the case after prostatectomy

Oh I see what you mean so probably nit an option.  Will see what they say tomorrow but his foot is still very swollen and painful and he us adamant no more radiotherapy .  

Hi !

Like I said, not an expert and only a amateur so good if you’re to check it with the experts.

Well, hopefully it’s only temporary with the radiation and he can continue it, especially as he have a curative pathway doing his salvage radiation I would guess. Is he on hormone therapy together with the salvage radiation? Sounds more like a nasty side effect that they perhaps can mitigate with some medication perhaps.

Hi Whittaker . I have also done a quick trawl of the literature and it does seem that HIFU has been used in the salvage situation following Prostatectomy. The problem is that HIFU is not freely available in the UK but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't ask about it. If necessary you could get a second opinion from a centre of excellence who might be able to give a better indication of whether your husband might benefit from some form of focal therapy.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4581943/

Hi yes he is on HT.  He has had treatment for the problem with his right foot which apparently originates from problems with nerves on the righthand side of his spine.   It had settled and has never been this bad and he was possibly going to have an injection in his spine to hopefully clear the problem completely but this had to be put on hold due to the radiotherapy.  It looks like the radiotherapy has drastically aggravated the nerves in his back.