So what about HIFU????

HIFU PROCEDURE
During late June 2008, I had a PSA test locally in Palm Beach, Fl. As the PSA was high, I was referred to a local urologist who did a DRE and said that I should have radiation before even scheduling a biopsy.

During early July 2008, I researched HIFU extensively online, mainly using the Google search engine. I already knew that I had BPH so it was great timing to discover that a doctor in my area had both GreenLight and HIFU experience. I read everything I could find regarding both procedures and decided to contact this doctor, who answered most of my questions over the phone and via email.

I eventually met with Dr. Lotenfoe in Orlando and he performed my biopsy on July 21, 2008. I learned within 22 hours that I had high-risk PC and BPH. My PSA was 18, Gleason score was 9 and all 12 of my cores were cancerous. He immediately prescribed oral Casodex for prostate cancer. If was informed that it stops the cancer "dead in it's tracks".

I had lost 20 pounds and was down to 140 pounds and was very concerned that radiation treatment would be especially hard on me as I have gastritis. I asked hundreds of questions, particularly regarding my concern if HIFU would be successful considering my high Gleason score. I was informed that they had treated previous high-risk patients who had high Gleason scores with the Sonablate 500. I decided in August to undergo the GreenLight laser procedure to reduce the size of my enlarged prostate and scheduled it for September 3. The GreenLight procedure was at 1:30 p.m. and I was in my motel at 5:00 p.m.

After discussing other options with local surgeons, oncologists and radiologists and undergoing nuclear pet-scans and MRIs, which showed no metastasis, I decided that I wanted to have the HIFU treatment in Cancun, Mexico. On September 14, just 11 days following the GreenLight procedure, I had my HIFU procedure in Cancun, again performed by Dr. Lotenfoe. I went into the OR at 6:30 a.m.; the total procedure time was approximately four hours and 10 minutes. I enjoyed a wonderful meal that evening in the hotel restaurant with a friend. I returned home to the U.S. 36 hours later; one of the patients returned home the day after his procedure.

I already had written instructions on how to train my bladder over the next few weeks, and was also assisted by multiple phone calls with USHIFU in Charlotte, N.C. whenever I needed additional information. A particular RN who was extremly knowledgeable assisted me throught the bladder training period and I think she was probably my guardian angel. She was very thoughtful, patient with a wonderful, and warm personality with a positive attitude regarding every aspect throughout the training.
I have been completely pain-free throughout both of these procedures (GreenLight and HIFU) with no side effects whatsoever and would highly recommend this treatment to anyone who chooses a minimally invasive treatment versus the recovery time and what seems to me to be the obvious suffering and pain involved in comparison to post-prostatectomy and/or radiation therapy. I was on hormone therapy for more than 18 months. My PSA has remained at 0.1 (as of this writing on June 2, 2010).

I fully acknowledge and realize that there will be proponents and critics during the next months and years regarding the effectiveness of HIFU versus more invasive procedures, including surgery and radiation therapy. Knowing my overall health situation from the get-go gave me a determined conviction that I made the right decision for me. I believe it's extremely important to find a doctor you have total confidence in and that was certainly the case for me. God Bless to all cancer patient's.