Posted on 06/20/2022 9:17:18 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
In recent years, a new treatment strategy known as focal therapy (partial gland ablation) has emerged for prostate cancer considered to be "intermediate risk"—mostly, small tumors confined to one area of the prostate. Researchers have been working closely with an advanced focal therapy approach known as high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Now a landmark clinical trial has demonstrated this less-invasive method works well for many patients. The phase 2 trial, led by MSK urologic cancer surgeon Behfar Ehdaie, looked at a particular type of HIFU treatment, also called MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS), in men with intermediate-risk cancer. The novel approach effectively controlled the disease in patients and greatly reduced adverse side effects of treatment. This suggests many men with intermediate-risk prostate cancer can avoid surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.
When the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, the main treatment options have traditionally included active surveillance (close monitoring), surgery, and radiation. But men who needed surgery or radiation often had persistent side effects, such as urinary and sexual problems, that could reduce quality of life.
The MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is an outpatient treatment that takes about two hours.
Dr. Ehdaie says that using MRgFUS for intermediate-risk cancers became possible due to two important developments over the past 15 years. First, there was an acceptance by experts of using active surveillance for low-grade tumors. The second advance was new imaging technology that enabled MRIs to be incorporated into ultrasound treatment.
"Probably most important was the lack of side effects," Dr. Ehdaie says. "Nobody in the study reported urinary incontinence or experienced bowel problems. Most men were able to achieve erections."
Based on this data, the FDA in December 2021 granted approval for the technology, called Exablate Prostate, to treat prostate tissue.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
My endocrinologist says he was the envy of all the other doctors in med school. His fingers were too short to examine a prostate.
A friend of mine told them to cut his 🥜 off when his prostrated
Cancer returned. He’s now a complete eunuch, but he’s alive.
When treatment is scheduled, he'll likely be put on Lupron or some kind of t. blocker for 1 or 2 years. The side effect of that is losing muscle tone and tiredness unless you fight like a girl to avoid it (it's difficult to build muscle mass without adequate testosterone). If the treatment is staggered, the t. blocker treatment would probably be pushed to the limit duration-wise. I'd avoid that. Also, I'd recommend getting in very good physical shape before treatment to help avoid side effects. I did stair climbing mostly. Almost no side effects in my case.
When my cancer was discovered (all 12 samples 50% to 100% cancerous), I went on an "alkalai" diet . PSA went from 14 to 13 while I waited for radiation. I'll never know if it would have kept dropping. I still avoid refined sugar and red meat. Maybe it helps, I don't really know.
Would playing AC/DC be better?
He, his doctor, and his son (also a GP) are still studying choices. My guy is thinking cut it all out, but from earlier discussions with my father who rejected that option, there appear to be a number of really unpleasant possible outcomes.
Romanace is still an important part of our life together. I am 6 years older, but apparently healthier in some ways.
He just turned 78, and last week was proud he had just taken 2000 steps on his stepper machine. He also lifts a 25 lb. weight with each arm for upper body condiiton. I am renovating a house and he loaded 2 toilets into my van and carried the boxes into the house from the van across the sidewalk and up 8 stairs and into the hall. With a little help from me on the stairs. I will have the contractors take one to the third floor.
He tries to stay in physical shape and takes the supplements I give him, but I am concerned about the sugar content of his Barbaque Sauce, supermarket Pizza, and dark chocolate bars. I read that lycopene is good so have been making home made tomatoe sauce (canned tomato with sauteed bell peppers, onion and garlic) with whole grain spaghetti. For protein adding cut up chicken, mussels, or baby meat balls from grass fed hamburger meat to the sauce and cut up veggies like broccoli or asparagus. This I make in quantity for him to use instead of the store bought white flour pizza, when we don’t have time for other cooking. I have studied and used Atkins to lower my weight.
He said something about his form of cancer being something they should withhold testosterone for. I am wondering if Viagra or Cialis are safe under such circumstances. He had gotten testosterone from his doctor at times several years ago. I’m not clear how they would reduce testosterone if he is not taking it, perhaps that Lupron you mentioned. I no longer give him DHEA which I did previously when he wanted to increase his testosterone performance. I stopped about 2 months ago. Should he have his PSA tested again, It was tested a month ago. I suspect his scores of 2 or 3 out of 5 on his 12 samples would mean around 50% cancerous. Did you have your radiation yet. If so, how did it work out and affect your wellbeing. Thanks for sharing.
I see that the Johns Hopkins center in Baltimore is relatively close for treatment, and Yale in Conn. is probably second closest. The JH treatment is a trial, so I wonder what restrictions would be required for food and supplements, and if it has a treatment and a non-treatment (placebo) arm.
Another study. They admit some weakness but with looking at.
https://www.prostatecancer.news/2021/03/whole-gland-tulsa-pro-outcomes-is-it.html
I did my homework...during my prostatectomy.
“HIFU goes in through rectum, cannot touch opposite side of urethra.”
Having total gland HIFU means that no area of the prostate is spared. It is appropriate when both sides of the prostate contain multiple or large areas of cancer cells. Below are some of the advantages of total gland HIFU:
” It’s generally said that it’s so slow growing that a man is virtually guaranteed five years of life after its discovery. And this is the basis of “active surveillance.” “
Wrong. Active surveillance is not based on a five-year time period.
Very interesting ...had not seen this. Thank you.
I was told by every prostate cancer doc doing every kind of treatment that regardless of procedure, about 1/3rd of all patients see a recurrence of the prostate cancer in later years. I investigated every alternative, and am still glad I chose TULSA-PRO.
Time will tell if I can say that years from now. PSA and side-effects-wise, I could not be more pleased.
Thank you. The HIFU docs I interviewed with left me with the impression that all the prostate could not be treated.
My bad.
Sounds like he's in very good shape already, especially at 78, so IMHO he only has to keep doing the same. My radiation treatment was at age 67. I probably started out at about his level of conditioning, but I slowly backed away from my exercises after 6 months of t. blocker and after the radiation treatment was over. After another 1 1/2 years of t. blocker my biceps weren't very impressive, and afternoon naps became common. I didn't fight through the t. depletion as much as I should have. I've got to give props to athletic girls, who, with very little t. (but some) are able to build up strength through grit and determination.
BarBQ sauce - yeah I've got a couple bottles in the pantry that have expired. Guess I better throw it out :-) .
I've been off the t. blocker about 1 1/2 years. I'd say my well-being post radiation and post blocker is pretty good. He probably doesn't need any more PSA tests than the doctors have planned; they will be pretty regular. Don't know about the safety of V or C while being treated. Probably no issues.
Thanks you all for your personal information which gives us something to compare, and the links of which I have read some and now will read and probably print the others.
Regarding athletic girls, I was one, fastest runner and best wrestler in my neighborhood although slim and not very big. At age 16. we moved to a different house. I helped my father a lot and we moved 4 tons of salvage lumber to a storage site (later used to build an addition on our house). At the new school we girls were tested, and I was the most fit girl of 150 class. After 50 years of health food and supplements, at 83 + ll mos.;-) I am still quite fit and strong and try to do physical work to stay fit. Don’t like “exercising.” Have to be careful of balance and not move too fast.
KUDOS!
Please replace the link with this:
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-06-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-hifu-prostate.html
The wrong study link is currently attached.
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