NANOKNIFE (Irreversible Electroporation of Prostate)

The last time I posted was in reference to bilateral focal hifu, which was what I thought I would have. I would like to share my experience with you in the hope it helps someone. However I was to have 'Nanoknife'. Because my tumour was bilateral they had to use nanoknife, this involves going into the Prostate from the perineal area. It is performed under a general anaesthetic, they put a camera up your bum so that they can look at your prostate using the information they got from the MRI. they then insert needles through the perineal, in this case I was told 4 needles/electrodes, they surround the tumour and give it 3000 volts. The tumour can't survive this and dies. My Tumour wasn't very close to the Urethra and was away from the rectum, which was good news in a bad news situation. The operation takes about an hour and the main part 10 minutes. but preparation to discharge takes some time. The downside is that I had to have a Catheter for 5 days and I was told to drink a lot to flush my system. Blood and a few bits came out, and I found the Catheter was not a nice thing to live with, even with a night bag it inhibited sleep and comfort. 5 days later (yesterday) I had the Catheter removed, I then had to drink 6 cups of water, 1 each 10 minutes, wee twice and then they checked my Bladder retention, (93mm). So they let me go home, I was so pleased. Last night I went the whole night 8 hours, without getting up for the toilet, my Urine is normal colour as well. I now have to have an MRI within 2 weeks to check that they got all the Tumour. I then have PSA tests every 3 months to monitor it and a MRI again in 12 months.

If it works it is a great advancement in Prostate cancer treatment, it is in it's early days, but it has a great success rate. I was lucky that the consultant DR Tanabalan had moved to the midlands from London, he also had a professor from London with him as his experience is growing. It is great to see non intrusive methods being brought in instead of my last consultant who told me Radical surgery or Radiotherapy. Mr England got fed up with me and referred me elsewhere. I had this procedure done because my tumour had increased slightly but my PSA was continuously going up, June 16.2 to December 17.5. It would of soon hit 20 and I don't know how much more. Focal Hifu would be used if the tumour was in a different place and also they can treat the whole Prostate.

I hope this helps people to look further than what is generally offered.