I have to say the whole issue around HIFU has me both confused and a little suspicious on two counts, one that the clinics that offer it seem to really sell it BUT two the NHS and UK seem to (not unusually) be a little behind in their views.
I am 70 and have localised T2a G 7 (3+4) diagnosed 16 months ago. My PSA has jumped, after a year of around 4.1 to 5 in the last 3 months. I am having an MRI with contrast in a few days and then maybe another biopsy.
My issues are about treatment options and the side effects of RT of any kind, as i have other health conditions and neurological muscle weakness and respiratory problems of long standing since polio as a child. The radiotherapy seems to have both muscles fatiguing and weakness as well as issues around bowel problems and obviously, though the urologist said he could omit the hormone pre RT treatment as i would probably not be able to exercise to mitigate the effects of hormones outcomes seem to suggest anti-androgen is link to better long term outcome at least in the under 70s.
It seems HIFU still isn't used as a first line treatment and not popular as they say no longterm studies - but that it seems that view has moved to be positive about HIFU longer term outcomes in Japan, USA and Europe. As the latest literature review i read was published in 2020, it was using mostly studies from 2003-2013 which isn't particularly up to date.
So studies that compare treatment outcomes and side effects between HIFU and RT for low or intermediate localised PCa seem not easy to find.
Does anyone have a view, or research links to anything relevant to help me with my discussions with the consultant around treatment options if i decide to move off AS.