opinions sought re use of mri, laser, for prostate biopsy and treatment

Yes, if you use surgery as a primary treatment, you want to see a post surgery PSA of <.10, or a statisical zero. Once it starts climbing above that, it has to be watched closely for indication of recurrance. With SRT (salvage radiation), generally done six months or more post surgery, the same standard of <.10 is ultimately expected post treatment, again, consistent rises above that will ultimately indicate failue. And yes, this is based on no longer having a prostate gland.

Now with radiation as a primary treatment, whether it be in the form of external radiation, i.e. IMRT or IGRT, or internal, i.e. radioactive seeds placed inside, you want to see a big decrease in the PSA. It normally would never drop to the <.10 mark, though possible, as the prostate, though heavily radiated, is still in place and damaged greatly. With radiation as a primary treatment, the PSA can actually continue to rise to its peak, then start to slowly drop off. This is considered a sucess of treatment.

With your HIFU, I do feel you are on new ground, with few first hand experiences here to supply any direct help. Can only hope t he best for you. I am not trusting enough, to have underwent a treatment method not approved here in the US at this time, my hat is off to you for that. Among other reasons, if something terribly went wrong, it could be a letigation nightmare, being outside the protection of US laws. But I would imagine you considered all that before coming to your decision.

There is also not much "history" to compare to, using HIFU, not when you compare decades of data with surgery and standard radiation treatments to look at.

Again, keep in touch. We are still here to support your choice(s), and feel free to ask away with any questions.

david in sc

good news!  biopsy was negative. 

 

12 samples taken, most in the suspect area which was targeted via

(a) 3D rendering with MRI, and

(b) magnetic resonance guidance for needle placement.

(wording here is from the release i signed acknowledging that these services were not covered by insurance.) 

 

total cost for these two services was $825—a small price to pay for precision, in my view.