I had a meeting with the consultant back in June. He suggested that I have Focal HIFU and that I think about it and if I decide to go ahead, I would go back in a couple of weeks to sign some papers and that would be it. After that I had an appointment to go to the hospital that had referred me in the first place, they didn't know what was going on, they don't talk to each other. I was then told that they were surprised that they would even consider focal HIFU as my disease was bilateral. I never heard anything more until the 10th of November asking to fill in pre-op on line. I got wound up and then I had a message on the 12th saying my operation was on the 19th. I cancelled it and asked for more information about what was happening. I asked the nurse and she has arranged a telephone meet with the consultant on the 25th. I managed to get a blood test done to check my PSA and that has risen again, it is now 17.5 from 16.2 in June.
A biopsy in 2020 showed 3+4, a repeat biopsy in 10/24 showed 3+3. MRI scans show no change T2 no, last one in June 25 following one in June 24.As you can see PSA is steadily rising. I have no symptoms, after the last biopsy I bled for months and the last MRI showed a reduction in gland size from 69 to 50.
Has anyone had any experience of focal hifu but for bilateral disease and what was the outcome and reactions? I believe I have to have a catheter for about a week, any advise on that? I need as much information for the telephone meeting on Tuesday.
Thanks.
Hello Kezzer B
Focal HIFU isn't routinely provided on the NHS so it may well be that you don't get too many replies from Community members who have received this treatment.
My understanding of the treatment is that it's performed under a general anesthetic and being bilateral they heat up both sides of the prostate and burn away the cancer cells. The catheter is required as the prostate swells up during the process and inhibits your ability to pass water.
I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months - it's not too bad, it takes a bit of getting used to but it does a job and it's not painful - you just have to remember it helps you recover.
There isn't too much information about but here's a link to some (just scroll down for the Prostate Cancer bit)
Cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/treatment/other/high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-hifu
I hope the above helps - do let us know how it goes.
Best wishes - Brian.
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