Hi All
I outlined in my early post an alternative focal therapy treatment option for prostate cancer called IRE or Nano-knife. This is not a treatment generally offered in the Uk and there is only one research centre at Kings which offers this as private option although a few have been undertaken recently on the NHS. This treatment method was highlighted in the newspapers recently but sadly bad journalism gave the indication is was a treatment method being made available to all which sadly it is not.
I outlined my decision to undergo this treatment which you can read above but in short was probably the least invasive prostate operation, particularly compared with radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy options, recovery was very quick, the side effects were significantly lower and it had optionality should their be a reoccurrence.
I had my operation in Germany which is by far and away the leading place of expertise in December of 2021. I have just returned from my three month post operation follow up
In terms of the operation this was a one hour procedure and I was eating two hours after the operation. The catheter was my only issue was some small and short lived stomach spasms caused by the electrical currents used. I travelled by plane they after my operation and walked through the airport. Whilst the two weeks with a catheter attached were uncomfortable, once this was removed I was able to pee normally. To date there have been no cases of incontinence using the IRE method and I am please to say that I have suffered no changes to my urinary functions at all.
In terms of erectile function I am pleased to say this is good. Its probably not as strong as before but still good. The consultant informed me their experience is that the nerves repair themselves after 6 to 9 months as with IRE there is no heat to breakdown in the treatment field so adjacent nerves and blood vessels are saved compared with HIFU for example which uses heat.
My three month check in Germany showed my PSA had dropped from 8 to 2.4. The MRI imaging showed all the tumour had been removed and there was no evidence of cancer elsewhere in nodes etc. Naturally I am delighted.
Physically there is no adverse effects and I am now back to full time training.
I have another assessment in Germany in three months time and will update on my results.
Whilst I have previously indicated IRE is not a silver bullet to treating prostate cancer it is an option that should be considered. The fact that it is not available on the NHS is incredibly disappointing and is a result of both legacy issues of conventionally therapies as well as only small data samples being available to satisfy NICE for inclusion on the NHS.
I have lobbied my UK urologist who is looking at my data to see if they should conduct trails using IRE to run along side their conventional treatment options. From my perspective my treatment option has so far been successful and I still have optionality of having the treatment done again should there be a reoccurance which conventional treatment methods don't allows as well as there attendant significant side effects. Interestingly the Germans indicate the reoccurance rate is the same as that of radical prostatectomy!
Sadly most UK Urologists will not identify IRE as a potential treatment option due in the main to ignorance. It is therefore important you undertake your own research and see if this is suitable for you and put into the mix of options when discussing treatment options.
Happy to answer any questions.