HIFU experiences?

Hi Tony

There are positives and negatives to every treatment for prostate cancer. Unfortunately, as others have also stated on here, people often tend to only post comments post-treatment, when they have had a negative experience. However, if all goes well, they sometimes don't bother to update and spread the good news when it's a success story. I myself had NanoKnife treatment, another focal therapy, as is HIFU, so I can only comment on my procedure. I wasn't suitable for HIFU due to the location of the tumour. I'm so glad I went with this option, which in my case, most definitely had the least long term side effects. Yes there were side effects, which have now cleared, but not the potential long term ones which I wasn't ready to accept from another treatment option.

Think about what's the most important aspect of recovery for you, apart from being cancer free. Weigh up the potential long term versus short term side effects and what would affect your daily lifestyle more.

This site is invaluable to all. The sense of community from a group of men and their partners too - someone always kind enough to reach out and reassure or give guidance or tell their story, because they have either been through it or are going through it. I'm sure you'll get many more responses.

Wishing you all the best in your decision and future outcome.

Seb

I had HIFU for failed RT. Some men need a second application of HIFU as happened with me. I had the second application in 2021 and MRI's and PSA tests led to my being told I am in remission. HIFU is a very easy procedure and I can't think of any side effects, although the RT I had initially meant that I had ED prior to the HIFU. The catheter I had for about a week was uncomfortable but after that no problem. HIFU aims to maintain Prostate function and to treat only significant tumours. If HIFU is unsuccessful, it can be followed by RT (if not already given) or Prostatectomy but the HIFU makes this more difficult (like Prostatectomy after radiation). Very long term outcomes are not known as the procedure has not been used for long enough.

Prostatectomy after failed HIFU is possible but more difficult and increases the risk of incontinence. For salvage Treatment for failed HIFU I would favour RT if a second HIFU is ruled out and it was offered. Incidentally, you can get HIFU on the NHS now but not many places do it.

There are pros and cons with all treatments and as a patient it is often left for you to decide, as men can see it differently. The problem is that you don't know in advance how successful any treatment will be and how severely you will be impacted by side effects. As the dealer says, "Your call".

Edited by member 13 Aug 2025 at 01:34  | Reason: Not specified

Good that you have made your reasoned treatment decision.

You don't show where you are located in the UK but I don't know why anyone would have contemplated paying 15K for HIFU when they could easily fly or get transport to London, maybe stay a night or two in a hotel and return to wherever after treatment for a fraction of this sum using the NHS. I live in Devon, close to the border with Cornwall, so something like 220 miles from London hospitals and had my second HIFU during the Covid Pandemic in 2021. As the hospital wanted me to minimise contact with others, they arranged for me to be taken by car to London early in the morning, have my HIFU and then return me to Devon by car the same day. If this had happened outside of COVID, I would have stayed for one night in a London Hotel, had the treatment and gone home immediately after it, largely travelling by train. I regard it like having a tooth filled, you don't just pull it out because it might need further filling or attention at some time in the future and believe me, having had dental implants, that was much more painful.