I had External Beam RT back in 2008 and salvage HIFU in 2015. This is not to suggest RT isn't a good option for long term success . The success of RT as with any treatment has more to do with how well the cancer is contained and how well the treatment is carried out as well as the type of cancer the individual patient has, some tumours being more radio resistant for example.
Much is known about External Beam RT which is often given in conjunction with HT. Low and High Dose RT although newer seems to be becoming increasingly preferred by suitable candidates. You will doubtless be aware that EBRT is usually given in a standard 37 fractions or 20 fractions of a higher dose. The two forms of brachytherapy involve an operation for radioactive seeds to be implanted or for radioactive probes to be inserted and removed at the end of an operation.
HIFU is still regarded as experimental because long term effects are not yet know. It has more usually been given in the NHS as salvage treatment for failed RT within a trial, although in some cases it has been given privately as a primary treatment. The widely recognized top man in the UK is on record as saying results are better where only one side of the Prostate is affected. The operation is carried out under anesthesia, and my experience was that I could walk about London a couple of hours after coming round post op. In fact it was easier walking/standing than sitting. It took two or three further days for the swelling to reach it's peak and then another three or so to gradually subside. Comfort improved considerably when the catheter was taken out a week post op. I can't say whether the HIFU was a complete success because subsequent scans show there is a suspicious area within my Prostate and an Iliac node and I may well have a further more advanced scan to ascertain this.
Incidentally, a full template transperineal biopsy was done prior to the HIFU which is normal and usually done under anesthesia. Also, you would have to check you are a suitable candidate for HIFU because there are several reasons why a man might not be.
Just as a general comment, I am struck by the number of members who have joined us saying they were keen bikers, (push or motor) and runners. I wonder whether there is a higher incidence of PCa among men who engage in these activities.
Edited by member 26 Nov 2017 at 13:35
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