On Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:34:41 -0700, Steve Jordan <mycroftscj1@cox.net>
wrote:
>On October 19, Steve Kramer wrote, re HIFU:
>
>> Mike and Steve have had it.
>
>I'm Steve J and I have not "had it."
>
>To whom does Steve K refer?
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve J
Hi I'm MikeHi, the Mike what has had it, as they say somewhere or
other.
Hi skeptic
I've posted on HIFU before, so look back for anything from me, MikeHi
and you'll get the unfolding HIFU story. So I'll try and keep this to
the point.
I can attest that for me HIFU has been effective, and never mind USA
testing and approvals, it works. It makes me ill to see it still
described as possible quackery.
I've had two HIFU operations at University College Hospital in London.
I was a fairly demanding patient I suppose as I am approaching 80 and
was diagnosed with Gleason 4+5. In fact I was the first G9 to undergo
the treatment - previously the UCHL team were operating trials on
younger guys with less than G7. So I suppose the team were taking a
risk as well as me. HIFU (High frequency ultrasound) is in its early
stages.
The prostate was 'done' in April 2006 - and proved to be totally
ablated. I had no pain after the operation. Biopsy then found G3+4 in
the left seminal vesicle. I was to be the first patient undergoing
this particular aspect of HIFU. The drug, radiation and HIFU experts
at UCH had a meeting to decide what, after the prostate, would be the
preferred further treatment. I was asked if I would agree to the HIFU
again and I said 'Yes' readily.
August this year my left seminal vesicle was HIFU'd by the same team.
All the usual side effects were possible including incontinence and
bowel stuff. I felt zero pain after the operation and I have in the
two months' since had zero side effects. The team felt confident they
had done a good job on the sem ves. I will know more surely when I get
results from an MRI scan I'm having in about a week's time, and PSA
tests also to come.
Side effects: A catheter is left in a week after the procedure. No
problems with that. The prostate HIFU also left scarring in the lower
urinary tract. For several months I had difficulty peeing, and I had
sometimes to self-catheter to clear blockage. (This is not half so bad
as it sounds - although mine was more painful when I had developed a
more complete blockage. It was cleared by a dilation and a five
minutes op incision of the bladder). Also had some urge incontinence.
All this cleared up before the second HIFU. I have had some minor
leakages after the sem ves HIFU, but it seems to be stopping.
The good news accompanying the first report on the seminal vesicle
procedure (and news of my progress for those who have been following
the HIFU effect ) is that:
'Cystoscopy revealed no evidence of any stricture and a good prostatic
cavity." Dunno what the last means but the first seems to mean my
good peeing will continue and that the HIFU strictures from the
prostate HIFU were indeed temporary and 'easily dealt with' as I was
told they could be.
Other. My HIFU treatment have been with a top team. I believe Mark
Emberton the consultant Urologist leading the trials is probably the
most experienced practitioner in the UK. The HIFU system was using
the Sonablate 500 gear. I don't hold any shares but I know the UCL
team believe it to be the most accurate because it can be controlled
in real-time.
All I'm saying is, as usual in this Pca business, know your docs, and
find out as much as you can about what they're using.
I'll repeat what I said about a good URL in my original post:
excellent detail about HIFU on:
http://www.prostate-cancer.org/educa...ectalHIFU.html.
With plentiful pictures and diagrams. There you will read: "The
control and precision of HIFU allow the accomplished surgeon to
accurately target the tissue to be destroyed without injuring adjacent
tissue. HIFU destroys tissue by heat, rather than by cavitation or
mechanical shearing forces."
I was referred to Mark Emberton's list by my original urologist from
my local hospital, Marc Laniado. He's a young doc and I know other
docs at his hospital thinks he's a wiz. He knew of HIFU as he was
training in it as his speciality is non-invasive Pca treatments. I
mention him because I still like his HIFU description in his web site
http://www.drmarc.co.uk/. Here's his description of the advantage of
the type of HIFU used on me: 'The advantage of visually Directed HIFU
over conventional HIFU is that the surgeon uses real-time feedback to
adjust the amount of energy needed to ensure eradication of the
diseased tissue whilst protecting healthy tissues. The active
involvement of the surgeon in the planning and treatment achieves a
higher rate of success.'
It does look like, at the moment, as if this particular guinea-pig's
healthy issues haven't been touched by the procedures.' And the nasty
ones have! In which case, good on you Marc and Mark.
More to report after MRI - meanwhile my very best wishes to you
skeptic but you needn't really be sceptical -just sure whos's doing
you and what with. And take oncologist's advice, because for all I
know you may have details of your Pca which may make other treatments
preferable. We're all busy on homework here every day.
MikeHi
Anyone ever heard of ultrasonic heating to destroy prostate? 
Linear Mode
