fw: prostate cancer

[Guest guest]

My name is Don. I have prostate cancer. In the year 2000 I had 25 radiations and nuclear seeds. My psa dropped to negligible levels. However, in the past year it started rising alarmingly. My urologist had been treating me with Lupron hormone injections and Casodex pills. A bone scan on 7/8/08 was negative. However my psa kept rising (to 8.0). On 10/24/08 I had a cryoblation of the prostate. It was not successful. My psa kept rising (to 11.5). On 1/26/09 another bone scan revealed that the cancer had spread slightly (not deeply) to the bone, and also a lymph node. I found it very surprising in such a short period of time that from a negative bone scan on 7/8/08 that the bonescan on 1/26/09 showed it had spread to the bone. I would like your comments on this. I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex. Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put me on chemo. I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair. Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston. The purpose of my letter is to ask if anyone out there can advise me with regards to the alternate treatments and/or clincal trials I have mentioned. Is there anything new that I am unaware of? Yours truly, Don - - - 3/25/09 Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Find out more.

[Guest guest]

A couple comments just from what I've seen. Chemo affects people differently,

dramatically different sometimes, and in men and women even more so. Don't fear

the chemo treatments and in a faster growing cancer, such as yours seems to have

developed into, it can be quite effective.

[Guest guest]

(snip)

> I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex.

> Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had

> spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off

> Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will

> test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put

> me on chemo.

I am delighted to see that Don is being treated by a genuine cancer

specialist, an oncologist.

My med onc is also a female. Where is Don? Arizona, perhaps? Does the

onc's name begin with O?

> I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had

> was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair.

Once the course of chemotherapy is completed, whatever hair is lost (and

it is not inevitable) usually regrows.

Bear in mind the side effects of doing nothing, or, worse yet, resorting

to quacks.

> Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials

> with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston.

There are 24 files on Stanislaw Burzynski on Quackwatch at

http://www.quackwatch.org/search/webglimpse.cgi?ID=1 & query=Burzynski

or

http://tinyurl.com/cl43jr

A word to the wise.....

Look up clinical trials at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/ But bear

in mind that there is no guarantee that (a) a patient will be assigned

to the treatment wing, and ( that the investigational med will prove

efficacious.

Lastly, different people react differently to meds. Don assumes that the

chemotherapy he would undergo would inevitably be the same as his wife's

and that he would inevitably experience the same side effects. Not

necessarily.

The chemotherapy agent is probably Taxotere (docetaxel). I estimate that

millions of patients have been treated with this med.

Here is reliable and authoritative information on chemotherapy, by one

of the best and brightest:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Lam_TaxotereSideEffects.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/2p4bkx

And there is much more. Search on Taxotere side effects.

IMO, " alternative " treatments will do little more than enrich the quacks

and damage the patient.

Regards,

Steve J

" A man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. "

-- Euripides

[Guest guest]

(snip)

> I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex.

> Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had

> spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off

> Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will

> test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put

> me on chemo.

I am delighted to see that Don is being treated by a genuine cancer

specialist, an oncologist.

My med onc is also a female. Where is Don? Arizona, perhaps? Does the

onc's name begin with O?

> I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had

> was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair.

Once the course of chemotherapy is completed, whatever hair is lost (and

it is not inevitable) usually regrows.

Bear in mind the side effects of doing nothing, or, worse yet, resorting

to quacks.

> Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials

> with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston.

There are 24 files on Stanislaw Burzynski on Quackwatch at

http://www.quackwatch.org/search/webglimpse.cgi?ID=1 & query=Burzynski

or

http://tinyurl.com/cl43jr

A word to the wise.....

Look up clinical trials at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/ But bear

in mind that there is no guarantee that (a) a patient will be assigned

to the treatment wing, and ( that the investigational med will prove

efficacious.

Lastly, different people react differently to meds. Don assumes that the

chemotherapy he would undergo would inevitably be the same as his wife's

and that he would inevitably experience the same side effects. Not

necessarily.

The chemotherapy agent is probably Taxotere (docetaxel). I estimate that

millions of patients have been treated with this med.

Here is reliable and authoritative information on chemotherapy, by one

of the best and brightest:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Lam_TaxotereSideEffects.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/2p4bkx

And there is much more. Search on Taxotere side effects.

IMO, " alternative " treatments will do little more than enrich the quacks

and damage the patient.

Regards,

Steve J

" A man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. "

-- Euripides

[Guest guest]

(snip)

> I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex.

> Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had

> spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off

> Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will

> test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put

> me on chemo.

I am delighted to see that Don is being treated by a genuine cancer

specialist, an oncologist.

My med onc is also a female. Where is Don? Arizona, perhaps? Does the

onc's name begin with O?

> I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had

> was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair.

Once the course of chemotherapy is completed, whatever hair is lost (and

it is not inevitable) usually regrows.

Bear in mind the side effects of doing nothing, or, worse yet, resorting

to quacks.

> Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials

> with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston.

There are 24 files on Stanislaw Burzynski on Quackwatch at

http://www.quackwatch.org/search/webglimpse.cgi?ID=1 & query=Burzynski

or

http://tinyurl.com/cl43jr

A word to the wise.....

Look up clinical trials at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/ But bear

in mind that there is no guarantee that (a) a patient will be assigned

to the treatment wing, and ( that the investigational med will prove

efficacious.

Lastly, different people react differently to meds. Don assumes that the

chemotherapy he would undergo would inevitably be the same as his wife's

and that he would inevitably experience the same side effects. Not

necessarily.

The chemotherapy agent is probably Taxotere (docetaxel). I estimate that

millions of patients have been treated with this med.

Here is reliable and authoritative information on chemotherapy, by one

of the best and brightest:

http://www.prostate-cancer.org/education/andind/Lam_TaxotereSideEffects.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/2p4bkx

And there is much more. Search on Taxotere side effects.

IMO, " alternative " treatments will do little more than enrich the quacks

and damage the patient.

Regards,

Steve J

" A man's most valuable trait is a judicious sense of what not to believe. "

-- Euripides

[Guest guest]

You could try and track down Milliken, the financier.  He knows as much

about prostate ca as anyone, has contributed milions to research (because he has

it), and has been quoted as saying he would try to help anyone who has it.

[Guest guest]

The correct name is Milken if you're researching him.

Live traffic, local info, maps, directions and more with the NEW MapQuest Toolbar. Get it now!

[Guest guest]

The correct name is Milken if you're researching him.

Live traffic, local info, maps, directions and more with the NEW MapQuest Toolbar. Get it now!

[Guest guest]

I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments. Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have failed.

Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said? Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?

For you reference, following is my original letter to the support group on 3/26/09

Yours truly, Don

My name is Don. I have prostate cancer. In the year 2000 I had 25 radiations and nuclear seeds. My psa dropped to negligible levels. However, in the past year it started rising alarmingly. My urologist had been treating me with Lupron hormone injections and Casodex pills. A bone scan on 7/8/08 was negative. However my psa kept rising (to 8.0). On 10/24/08 I had a cryoblation of the prostate. It was not successful. My psa kept rising (to 11.5). On 1/26/09 another bone scan revealed that the cancer had spread slightly (not deeply) to the bone, and also a lymph node. I found it very surprising in such a short period of time that from a negative bone scan on 7/8/08 that the bonescan on 1/26/09 showed it had spread to the bone. I would like your comments on this. I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex. Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put me on chemo. I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair. Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston. The purpose of my letter is to ask if anyone out there can advise me with regards to the alternate treatments and/or clincal trials I have mentioned. Is there anything new that I am unaware of? Yours truly, Don - - - 3/25/09

Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Find out more.

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[Guest guest]

I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments. Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have failed.

Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said? Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?

For you reference, following is my original letter to the support group on 3/26/09

Yours truly, Don

My name is Don. I have prostate cancer. In the year 2000 I had 25 radiations and nuclear seeds. My psa dropped to negligible levels. However, in the past year it started rising alarmingly. My urologist had been treating me with Lupron hormone injections and Casodex pills. A bone scan on 7/8/08 was negative. However my psa kept rising (to 8.0). On 10/24/08 I had a cryoblation of the prostate. It was not successful. My psa kept rising (to 11.5). On 1/26/09 another bone scan revealed that the cancer had spread slightly (not deeply) to the bone, and also a lymph node. I found it very surprising in such a short period of time that from a negative bone scan on 7/8/08 that the bonescan on 1/26/09 showed it had spread to the bone. I would like your comments on this. I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex. Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put me on chemo. I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair. Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston. The purpose of my letter is to ask if anyone out there can advise me with regards to the alternate treatments and/or clincal trials I have mentioned. Is there anything new that I am unaware of? Yours truly, Don - - - 3/25/09

Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Find out more.

Rediscover Hotmail®: Now available on your iPhone or BlackBerry Check it out.

[Guest guest]

I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments. Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have failed.

Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said? Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?

For you reference, following is my original letter to the support group on 3/26/09

Yours truly, Don

My name is Don. I have prostate cancer. In the year 2000 I had 25 radiations and nuclear seeds. My psa dropped to negligible levels. However, in the past year it started rising alarmingly. My urologist had been treating me with Lupron hormone injections and Casodex pills. A bone scan on 7/8/08 was negative. However my psa kept rising (to 8.0). On 10/24/08 I had a cryoblation of the prostate. It was not successful. My psa kept rising (to 11.5). On 1/26/09 another bone scan revealed that the cancer had spread slightly (not deeply) to the bone, and also a lymph node. I found it very surprising in such a short period of time that from a negative bone scan on 7/8/08 that the bonescan on 1/26/09 showed it had spread to the bone. I would like your comments on this. I was referred to an (female) Oncologist. She took me off Casodex. Another bonescan and Petscan in February confirmed the cancer had spread. On 3/6/09 the psa rose to 18.6. My Oncologist took me off Lupron and put me on Ketoconazole, Prednisone, and Prilosec. She will test the psa on 4/8/09. If she don't like the level, then she will put me on chemo. I dread chemo. My first wife died of lung cancer. The chemo she had was torture. I don't want it. Additionally I don't want to lose my hair. Friends have told me to check out alternate treatments. Clinical trials with Stem Cells, Nanotherapy, and Dr. Burzynski clinic in Houston. The purpose of my letter is to ask if anyone out there can advise me with regards to the alternate treatments and/or clincal trials I have mentioned. Is there anything new that I am unaware of? Yours truly, Don - - - 3/25/09

Hotmail® is up to 70% faster. Now good news travels really fast. Find out more.

Rediscover Hotmail®: Now available on your iPhone or BlackBerry Check it out.

[Guest guest]

Calandrillo wrote:

> I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and

> Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments.

> Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate

> Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have

> failed.

>

> Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said?

> Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?

I believe she is right.

Both stem cell and nanotherapy research have gotten huge amounts

of money in the last 5 years, but I don't think anyone has yet

demonstrated success with PCa.

Have you checked out the websites I sent you last time regarding

clinical trials?

Here is the citation again to the complete list of trials for PCa

available in the U.S. It is current and authoritative.

http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=5976725\

#

Alan

[Guest guest]

Calandrillo wrote:

> I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and

> Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments.

> Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate

> Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have

> failed.

>

> Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said?

> Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?

I believe she is right.

Both stem cell and nanotherapy research have gotten huge amounts

of money in the last 5 years, but I don't think anyone has yet

demonstrated success with PCa.

Have you checked out the websites I sent you last time regarding

clinical trials?

Here is the citation again to the complete list of trials for PCa

available in the U.S. It is current and authoritative.

http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=5976725\

#

Alan

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply Alan. Yes, I have checked out the websites you sent.

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

bye, Don

To: ProstateCancerSupport From: ameyer2@...Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 04:42:34 -0700Subject: Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

Calandrillo <dcalandrillohotmail> wrote:> I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and> Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments.> Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate> Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have> failed. > > Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said?> Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?I believe she is right.Both stem cell and nanotherapy research have gotten huge amountsof money in the last 5 years, but I don't think anyone has yetdemonstrated success with PCa.Have you checked out the websites I sent you last time regardingclinical trials?Here is the citation again to the complete list of trials for PCaavailable in the U.S. It is current and authoritative.http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=5976725#Alan

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply Alan. Yes, I have checked out the websites you sent.

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

bye, Don

To: ProstateCancerSupport From: ameyer2@...Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 04:42:34 -0700Subject: Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

Calandrillo <dcalandrillohotmail> wrote:> I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and> Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments.> Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate> Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have> failed. > > Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said?> Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?I believe she is right.Both stem cell and nanotherapy research have gotten huge amountsof money in the last 5 years, but I don't think anyone has yetdemonstrated success with PCa.Have you checked out the websites I sent you last time regardingclinical trials?Here is the citation again to the complete list of trials for PCaavailable in the U.S. It is current and authoritative.http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=5976725#Alan

Quick access to your favorite MSN content and Windows Live with Internet Explorer 8. Download FREE now!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your reply Alan. Yes, I have checked out the websites you sent.

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

bye, Don

To: ProstateCancerSupport From: ameyer2@...Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 04:42:34 -0700Subject: Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

Calandrillo <dcalandrillohotmail> wrote:> I asked my Oncologist about Stem Cell treatments and> Nanotherapy treatments. Clinical trials or other treatments.> Here is her reply: Stem Cell treatments are not for Prostate> Cancer. Nanotherapy is done when traditional treatments have> failed. > > Does anyone have any comments about what the Oncologist said?> Does anyone have any updated information or suggestions?I believe she is right.Both stem cell and nanotherapy research have gotten huge amountsof money in the last 5 years, but I don't think anyone has yetdemonstrated success with PCa.Have you checked out the websites I sent you last time regardingclinical trials?Here is the citation again to the complete list of trials for PCaavailable in the U.S. It is current and authoritative.http://www.cancer.gov/search/ResultsClinicalTrials.aspx?protocolsearchid=5976725#Alan

Quick access to your favorite MSN content and Windows Live with Internet Explorer 8. Download FREE now!

[Guest guest]

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

Hi:

HIFU is easy to research. I searched "HIFU Treatments" and got loads of hits. The simplest was

www.hifu.ca . Bye

Emile

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.

[Guest guest]

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

Hi:

HIFU is easy to research. I searched "HIFU Treatments" and got loads of hits. The simplest was

www.hifu.ca . Bye

Emile

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.

[Guest guest]

A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking into that.

Hi:

HIFU is easy to research. I searched "HIFU Treatments" and got loads of hits. The simplest was

www.hifu.ca . Bye

Emile

Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less.

[Guest guest]

I met with Dr. Suarez and he was very informative without being pushy. He

answered all my questions, and was not antagonistic about me asking questions

about other treatment options unlike my original Urologist.

Here is Dr. Suarez website. I have not yet made a decision on my treatment but

wanted to provide what he gave me for research.

http://www.hifumedicalexpert.com/

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 4/4/2009 6:36:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> > dcalandrillo@ writes:

> >

> > A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking

into

> > that.

> >

> >

> > Hi:

> > HIFU is easy to research. I searched " HIFU Treatments " and got loads of

> > hits. The simplest was

> > _www.hifu.ca_ (http://www.hifu.ca) . Bye

> >

> >

> > Emile

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I met with Dr. Suarez and he was very informative without being pushy. He

answered all my questions, and was not antagonistic about me asking questions

about other treatment options unlike my original Urologist.

Here is Dr. Suarez website. I have not yet made a decision on my treatment but

wanted to provide what he gave me for research.

http://www.hifumedicalexpert.com/

> >

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 4/4/2009 6:36:51 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> > dcalandrillo@ writes:

> >

> > A friend has mentioned hifu treatments in Canada. I will start looking

into

> > that.

> >

> >

> > Hi:

> > HIFU is easy to research. I searched " HIFU Treatments " and got loads of

> > hits. The simplest was

> > _www.hifu.ca_ (http://www.hifu.ca) . Bye

> >

> >

> > Emile

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Alan.  At a meeting of our local Prostate Cancer Association; I asked two doctors who perform Laparoscopy for the removal of the prostate about HIFU and they said that it was still developmental and too new to comment on,  I had a standard nerve sparing RP and my recovery was excellent although impotence is still here 13 months later.  If I were back at the stage of deciding what to do I would look at Laparoscopy for the time in hospital is not as long and I read reports that some guys had no impotence not incontinence.  

Andy

I can't cite the citations for this, but I seem to recall reading

that impotence rates are high with HIFU, as high or higher than

surgery or radiation.

I have also read that " cure " rates are lower, though unlike

surgery or radiation, HIFU can be repeated, which can bring the

success rates closer to surgery and radiation. I have never seen

anything that claims cure rates are better than surgery or

radiation, or even that they are as good.

One of the things that all of us tend to do as patients is look

for the very latest treatment technology. We imagine that if

it's newer, it's better.

That can be true for TV sets and computers, but I don't think

it's true for medical treatments - whether by drugs, surgery,

radiation, or whatever.

One problem is that it can take decades to fully evaluate a

treatment. Many forms of surgery and radiation are now fairly

well understood for both short and long term effects. That's not

so for HIFU, cryosurgery, or other new techniques.

Another problem is that most very complicated new medical

technologies require decades to develop. Radiation, for example,

is still evolving and is significantly different from what it was

20 or even 10 years ago. Even surgery is evolving. HIFU, by

contrast, is still early in its development cycle. We'll know

more about it, and the HIFU techniques will be better developed,

ten years from now.

I don't want to say " Don't get HIFU. " But I do want to say

" Exercise caution and judgment, your life is at stake. "

--

Alan Meyer

ameyer2@...

[Guest guest]

Alan is, as usual, quite correct in

recommending caution. It seems to me from all that I have read that HIFU may be

a valid option, although it must be said that the best results are in dealing

with tumours that might not need treatment. However, the damage that can be

done by an inexperienced operator is tremendous and it is clear that, as with

so many other procedures, experience is the key.

Can I suggest that you go to http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#hifu

where the stories of 15 men who chose HIFU are indexed. Of course these stories

are only regarded as anecdotal evidence and as such, many feel that they have

little value. I don’t agree with that: I thin it is very useful to

understand why these men chose HIFU, what happened and what they fell now. I don’t

think anyone would make a decision based purely on these stories, but it may

help to focus on important issues. There are also some links to relevant

information on the site at http://www.yananow.net/choices.htm#hifu

Finally if you go to the site search

engine at http://www.yananow.net/Links.html#search

and enter HIFU you will find a number of entries, including discussions on the

Yana Forum.

All the best

Terry Herbert

in Melbourne

Australia

Diagnosed ‘96: Age

54: Stage T2b: PSA 7.2: Gleason 7: No treatment. Jun '07 PSA 42.0 - Bony

Metastasis:Started ADT Aug '07: May '08 - stopped ADT. Mar '09 PSA 0.36

My site is at

www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

It is a

tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn’t know, and the less

a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything. Joyce

Carey

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer

Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2009 1:34

AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re:

Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

I can't cite the citations for this, but I seem to recall reading

that impotence rates are high with HIFU, as high or higher than

surgery or radiation.

I have also read that " cure " rates are lower, though unlike

surgery or radiation, HIFU can be repeated, which can bring the

success rates closer to surgery and radiation. I have never seen

anything that claims cure rates are better than surgery or

radiation, or even that they are as good.

One of the things that all of us tend to do as patients is look

for the very latest treatment technology. We imagine that if

it's newer, it's better.

That can be true for TV sets and computers, but I don't think

it's true for medical treatments - whether by drugs, surgery,

radiation, or whatever.

One problem is that it can take decades to fully evaluate a

treatment. Many forms of surgery and radiation are now fairly

well understood for both short and long term effects. That's not

so for HIFU, cryosurgery, or other new techniques.

Another problem is that most very complicated new medical

technologies require decades to develop. Radiation, for example,

is still evolving and is significantly different from what it was

20 or even 10 years ago. Even surgery is evolving. HIFU, by

contrast, is still early in its development cycle. We'll know

more about it, and the HIFU techniques will be better developed,

ten years from now.

I don't want to say " Don't get HIFU. " But I do want to say

" Exercise caution and judgment, your life is at stake. "

--

Alan Meyer

ameyer2

[Guest guest]

Alan is, as usual, quite correct in

recommending caution. It seems to me from all that I have read that HIFU may be

a valid option, although it must be said that the best results are in dealing

with tumours that might not need treatment. However, the damage that can be

done by an inexperienced operator is tremendous and it is clear that, as with

so many other procedures, experience is the key.

Can I suggest that you go to http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#hifu

where the stories of 15 men who chose HIFU are indexed. Of course these stories

are only regarded as anecdotal evidence and as such, many feel that they have

little value. I don’t agree with that: I thin it is very useful to

understand why these men chose HIFU, what happened and what they fell now. I don’t

think anyone would make a decision based purely on these stories, but it may

help to focus on important issues. There are also some links to relevant

information on the site at http://www.yananow.net/choices.htm#hifu

Finally if you go to the site search

engine at http://www.yananow.net/Links.html#search

and enter HIFU you will find a number of entries, including discussions on the

Yana Forum.

All the best

Terry Herbert

in Melbourne

Australia

Diagnosed ‘96: Age

54: Stage T2b: PSA 7.2: Gleason 7: No treatment. Jun '07 PSA 42.0 - Bony

Metastasis:Started ADT Aug '07: May '08 - stopped ADT. Mar '09 PSA 0.36

My site is at

www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

It is a

tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn’t know, and the less

a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything. Joyce

Carey

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer

Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2009 1:34

AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re:

Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

I can't cite the citations for this, but I seem to recall reading

that impotence rates are high with HIFU, as high or higher than

surgery or radiation.

I have also read that " cure " rates are lower, though unlike

surgery or radiation, HIFU can be repeated, which can bring the

success rates closer to surgery and radiation. I have never seen

anything that claims cure rates are better than surgery or

radiation, or even that they are as good.

One of the things that all of us tend to do as patients is look

for the very latest treatment technology. We imagine that if

it's newer, it's better.

That can be true for TV sets and computers, but I don't think

it's true for medical treatments - whether by drugs, surgery,

radiation, or whatever.

One problem is that it can take decades to fully evaluate a

treatment. Many forms of surgery and radiation are now fairly

well understood for both short and long term effects. That's not

so for HIFU, cryosurgery, or other new techniques.

Another problem is that most very complicated new medical

technologies require decades to develop. Radiation, for example,

is still evolving and is significantly different from what it was

20 or even 10 years ago. Even surgery is evolving. HIFU, by

contrast, is still early in its development cycle. We'll know

more about it, and the HIFU techniques will be better developed,

ten years from now.

I don't want to say " Don't get HIFU. " But I do want to say

" Exercise caution and judgment, your life is at stake. "

--

Alan Meyer

ameyer2

[Guest guest]

Alan is, as usual, quite correct in

recommending caution. It seems to me from all that I have read that HIFU may be

a valid option, although it must be said that the best results are in dealing

with tumours that might not need treatment. However, the damage that can be

done by an inexperienced operator is tremendous and it is clear that, as with

so many other procedures, experience is the key.

Can I suggest that you go to http://www.yananow.net/Experiences.html#hifu

where the stories of 15 men who chose HIFU are indexed. Of course these stories

are only regarded as anecdotal evidence and as such, many feel that they have

little value. I don’t agree with that: I thin it is very useful to

understand why these men chose HIFU, what happened and what they fell now. I don’t

think anyone would make a decision based purely on these stories, but it may

help to focus on important issues. There are also some links to relevant

information on the site at http://www.yananow.net/choices.htm#hifu

Finally if you go to the site search

engine at http://www.yananow.net/Links.html#search

and enter HIFU you will find a number of entries, including discussions on the

Yana Forum.

All the best

Terry Herbert

in Melbourne

Australia

Diagnosed ‘96: Age

54: Stage T2b: PSA 7.2: Gleason 7: No treatment. Jun '07 PSA 42.0 - Bony

Metastasis:Started ADT Aug '07: May '08 - stopped ADT. Mar '09 PSA 0.36

My site is at

www.prostatecancerwatchfulwaiting.co.za

It is a

tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn’t know, and the less

a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything. Joyce

Carey

From: ProstateCancerSupport [mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of Alan Meyer

Sent: Tuesday, 7 April 2009 1:34

AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re:

Re: FW: Prostate Cancer

I can't cite the citations for this, but I seem to recall reading

that impotence rates are high with HIFU, as high or higher than

surgery or radiation.

I have also read that " cure " rates are lower, though unlike

surgery or radiation, HIFU can be repeated, which can bring the

success rates closer to surgery and radiation. I have never seen

anything that claims cure rates are better than surgery or

radiation, or even that they are as good.

One of the things that all of us tend to do as patients is look

for the very latest treatment technology. We imagine that if

it's newer, it's better.

That can be true for TV sets and computers, but I don't think

it's true for medical treatments - whether by drugs, surgery,

radiation, or whatever.

One problem is that it can take decades to fully evaluate a

treatment. Many forms of surgery and radiation are now fairly

well understood for both short and long term effects. That's not

so for HIFU, cryosurgery, or other new techniques.

Another problem is that most very complicated new medical

technologies require decades to develop. Radiation, for example,

is still evolving and is significantly different from what it was

20 or even 10 years ago. Even surgery is evolving. HIFU, by

contrast, is still early in its development cycle. We'll know

more about it, and the HIFU techniques will be better developed,

ten years from now.

I don't want to say " Don't get HIFU. " But I do want to say

" Exercise caution and judgment, your life is at stake. "

--

Alan Meyer

ameyer2