RE: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

[Guest guest]



Hi Tom,

You can find more info re full (whole prostate) and focal (tumour only) HIFU on www.ukhifu.co.uk You might also want to read the experiences of men who have had HIFU on www.yananow.net The experiences on yananow don't seem as straight forward and side effect free as this summary report suggests is the norm. I considered having HIFU in the UK but eventually chose IGRT here in Spain.

Malaga,Spain

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health [mailto:newsmaxreply (DOT) newsmax.com] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123wowwaySubject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]



Hi Tom,

I was 48 at diagnosis by biopsy. I should probably been diagnosed a year earlier but my GP said a PSA of 7.7 was nothing to worry about. I did my own research and realised 7.7 was a major problem at my age and found a specialist Uro. As it happens the first PSA done by him came in at 5.56 with free PSA at 9% and he said I definitely needed a biopsy. After some thought I agreed and was diagnosed in July 2008 as Gleason 4+3. 5% of cores positive. The Uro who did the biop was not the one who gave me the results and the one who did was not even aware as to why I was in his office! ' Was this my first time here?' 'No I'm here for biopsy results'. 'Oh, OK you have prostate cancer, you need a radical prostatectomy within a month' I then asked what about my chances of remaining continent and able to have erections. He answered, well we can hope for 80% chance of no incontinence and don't worry about impotence, we can give you implants. I thought, yes you are not the guy for me. I asked for alternatives and after much insistence on my part he agreed to refer me to a radio-oncologist in the same hospital. I went home and went on the internet. That was when I found UKHIFU.net and thought that this sounded like a good option, they had an out of hours phone line. I rang at 11pm and was amazed to get a Medic. He really saved my sanity that night. He went through all my options, not just HIFU, and basically said surgery had the highest chance of making me impotent - not supposed to be said I know, but I think reading all the posts, this is probably at least anecdotally true. As an ex Brit living in Spain I am no longer entitled to NHS ( free, state) treatment. HIFU would cost between £12000 and £15000 depending on where it is done, but the NHS were conducting HIFU trials in London and the guy at HIFU UK knew the head of research and said in view of my age they would be very interested in including me in the trials free of charge, even though it meant a loss of 12-15000£ sterling to his company. I was so grateful and he sent me the applications with a covering letter from him to get me onto the trial, but I decided to still have the Radio-Onc appointment 2 days later in Spain. She was such a breath of fresh air; she said at my age it was as important to save my sex life as it was my life. The surgeons didn't really give a toss about my sex life (is this alpha male dominence?).She had prepared a 1 hr computer presentation of all my options, while the Surgeon/Uro gave me less than 5 minutes of his time to discuss my position. With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT. I really liked her, and trusted her, and tottering about on 5" stiletto heels while the rest of the medical staff wore plastic 'Crocs' made me realise she liked sex as much as I do!

I was very tempted by HIFU but it meant 3 months in UK (due to follow up tests as part of the trial) without friends and family and then flights back every 3 months for a year for follow ups. Here in Spain I would be with my partner , with friends, was only 15 minutes from the IGRT Hospital and could keep my business going, and I have a phobia re catheters which just doesn't exist with IGRT. I loved my Radio/Onco and decided on IGRT which I don't regret. An MRI scan showed aconfined tumour 1cm in diameter. The TX was much easier to bear than I imagined (biggest prob was mild constipation)and I felt really looked after thru the 8 weeks of daily (Mon -Fri) treatment sessions. I was able to work right thru the TX but took the last 10 days off as a reward/holiday to myself. I was till out socialising 2 days before the end of my TX. My Onco recommended as much sex as possible during TX with which I complied! In depth convesations with her about changing orgasms were hilarious (and enlightening). 8 months after TX I have zero incontinence, I have no problems with erections and need no pills or pumps,tho I do realise anecdotal evidence suggest I may have problems in a couple of years (my Onco says it is unlikely to be a problem for me, hopefully she's right!). I do have a bit of a reduction in libido but suspect this is economic stress related! Twice a week is now enough.

My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an ecouraging 2.4 My next test is 2nd September and my Onco reckons I am on track to being considered cured. The 'problem' with IGRT is that it does not result in an immediate reduction in PSA like surgery so you have to put up with PSA tests that can be more stressfull than those great drops after surgery. Research I have read suggests that those who do best after IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX, and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still be OK. Bottom line is it's a much less traumatic option but is a much more drawn out (and therefore stressful?) option. Oh, and I can still shoot - not much but not zero!

Please fell free to contact me in private if you want any more details - and aoplogies to everyone else for such a long post.

Malaga, Spain

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health [mailto:newsmaxreply (DOT) newsmax.com] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123wowwaySubject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]



Hi Tom,

I was 48 at diagnosis by biopsy. I should probably been diagnosed a year earlier but my GP said a PSA of 7.7 was nothing to worry about. I did my own research and realised 7.7 was a major problem at my age and found a specialist Uro. As it happens the first PSA done by him came in at 5.56 with free PSA at 9% and he said I definitely needed a biopsy. After some thought I agreed and was diagnosed in July 2008 as Gleason 4+3. 5% of cores positive. The Uro who did the biop was not the one who gave me the results and the one who did was not even aware as to why I was in his office! ' Was this my first time here?' 'No I'm here for biopsy results'. 'Oh, OK you have prostate cancer, you need a radical prostatectomy within a month' I then asked what about my chances of remaining continent and able to have erections. He answered, well we can hope for 80% chance of no incontinence and don't worry about impotence, we can give you implants. I thought, yes you are not the guy for me. I asked for alternatives and after much insistence on my part he agreed to refer me to a radio-oncologist in the same hospital. I went home and went on the internet. That was when I found UKHIFU.net and thought that this sounded like a good option, they had an out of hours phone line. I rang at 11pm and was amazed to get a Medic. He really saved my sanity that night. He went through all my options, not just HIFU, and basically said surgery had the highest chance of making me impotent - not supposed to be said I know, but I think reading all the posts, this is probably at least anecdotally true. As an ex Brit living in Spain I am no longer entitled to NHS ( free, state) treatment. HIFU would cost between £12000 and £15000 depending on where it is done, but the NHS were conducting HIFU trials in London and the guy at HIFU UK knew the head of research and said in view of my age they would be very interested in including me in the trials free of charge, even though it meant a loss of 12-15000£ sterling to his company. I was so grateful and he sent me the applications with a covering letter from him to get me onto the trial, but I decided to still have the Radio-Onc appointment 2 days later in Spain. She was such a breath of fresh air; she said at my age it was as important to save my sex life as it was my life. The surgeons didn't really give a toss about my sex life (is this alpha male dominence?).She had prepared a 1 hr computer presentation of all my options, while the Surgeon/Uro gave me less than 5 minutes of his time to discuss my position. With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT. I really liked her, and trusted her, and tottering about on 5" stiletto heels while the rest of the medical staff wore plastic 'Crocs' made me realise she liked sex as much as I do!

I was very tempted by HIFU but it meant 3 months in UK (due to follow up tests as part of the trial) without friends and family and then flights back every 3 months for a year for follow ups. Here in Spain I would be with my partner , with friends, was only 15 minutes from the IGRT Hospital and could keep my business going, and I have a phobia re catheters which just doesn't exist with IGRT. I loved my Radio/Onco and decided on IGRT which I don't regret. An MRI scan showed aconfined tumour 1cm in diameter. The TX was much easier to bear than I imagined (biggest prob was mild constipation)and I felt really looked after thru the 8 weeks of daily (Mon -Fri) treatment sessions. I was able to work right thru the TX but took the last 10 days off as a reward/holiday to myself. I was till out socialising 2 days before the end of my TX. My Onco recommended as much sex as possible during TX with which I complied! In depth convesations with her about changing orgasms were hilarious (and enlightening). 8 months after TX I have zero incontinence, I have no problems with erections and need no pills or pumps,tho I do realise anecdotal evidence suggest I may have problems in a couple of years (my Onco says it is unlikely to be a problem for me, hopefully she's right!). I do have a bit of a reduction in libido but suspect this is economic stress related! Twice a week is now enough.

My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an ecouraging 2.4 My next test is 2nd September and my Onco reckons I am on track to being considered cured. The 'problem' with IGRT is that it does not result in an immediate reduction in PSA like surgery so you have to put up with PSA tests that can be more stressfull than those great drops after surgery. Research I have read suggests that those who do best after IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX, and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still be OK. Bottom line is it's a much less traumatic option but is a much more drawn out (and therefore stressful?) option. Oh, and I can still shoot - not much but not zero!

Please fell free to contact me in private if you want any more details - and aoplogies to everyone else for such a long post.

Malaga, Spain

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health [mailto:newsmaxreply (DOT) newsmax.com] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123wowwaySubject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your comments. Yes even at the time I had thought my Radio/Onco predictions were more than probably on the optimistic side and I did challenge them, but she was pretty certain with my age and sexual health at the time etc and her determination that she could be that accurate with the aiming of the beams she could offer such high odds. Still I did take them with a pinch of salt and despite no problems on the ED front beforehand my main concern was actually the incontinence issues. My surgeon/Uros ( I saw two guys) just did not inspire confidence on any front. I think treatment choices are often about WHO feels right for you rather than WHAT.

I do appreciate your comments about your PSA nadir. Initially I was under the misunderstanding that my PSA should halve every 3 months and as my Onco moved on to better career oportunities it's not something I was able to revisit before she left. My new Onco (also female) isn't any where near as open for discussions as my previous so depending how my Sept results come in and her reaction to them, I may be looking for a new one or seeing if my insurance will cover me for my old one at her new hospital.

Good health,

Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

On Thu, 7/16/09, elhorizonte <elhorizontetelefonica (DOT) net> wrote:Hello > ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of menare incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. Iwouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms ofexternal beam radiation in that regard.However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoidingimpotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,99% sounds far fetched to me.> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an> ecouraging 2.4 ...I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be aside effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostatetissue.I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX> ...For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still> be OK.There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number afterradiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,but whether it stays there or goes up.Best of luck.Alan

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your comments. Yes even at the time I had thought my Radio/Onco predictions were more than probably on the optimistic side and I did challenge them, but she was pretty certain with my age and sexual health at the time etc and her determination that she could be that accurate with the aiming of the beams she could offer such high odds. Still I did take them with a pinch of salt and despite no problems on the ED front beforehand my main concern was actually the incontinence issues. My surgeon/Uros ( I saw two guys) just did not inspire confidence on any front. I think treatment choices are often about WHO feels right for you rather than WHAT.

I do appreciate your comments about your PSA nadir. Initially I was under the misunderstanding that my PSA should halve every 3 months and as my Onco moved on to better career oportunities it's not something I was able to revisit before she left. My new Onco (also female) isn't any where near as open for discussions as my previous so depending how my Sept results come in and her reaction to them, I may be looking for a new one or seeing if my insurance will cover me for my old one at her new hospital.

Good health,

Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

On Thu, 7/16/09, elhorizonte <elhorizontetelefonica (DOT) net> wrote:Hello > ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of menare incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. Iwouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms ofexternal beam radiation in that regard.However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoidingimpotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,99% sounds far fetched to me.> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an> ecouraging 2.4 ...I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be aside effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostatetissue.I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX> ...For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still> be OK.There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number afterradiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,but whether it stays there or goes up.Best of luck.Alan

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for your comments. Yes even at the time I had thought my Radio/Onco predictions were more than probably on the optimistic side and I did challenge them, but she was pretty certain with my age and sexual health at the time etc and her determination that she could be that accurate with the aiming of the beams she could offer such high odds. Still I did take them with a pinch of salt and despite no problems on the ED front beforehand my main concern was actually the incontinence issues. My surgeon/Uros ( I saw two guys) just did not inspire confidence on any front. I think treatment choices are often about WHO feels right for you rather than WHAT.

I do appreciate your comments about your PSA nadir. Initially I was under the misunderstanding that my PSA should halve every 3 months and as my Onco moved on to better career oportunities it's not something I was able to revisit before she left. My new Onco (also female) isn't any where near as open for discussions as my previous so depending how my Sept results come in and her reaction to them, I may be looking for a new one or seeing if my insurance will cover me for my old one at her new hospital.

Good health,

Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

On Thu, 7/16/09, elhorizonte <elhorizontetelefonica (DOT) net> wrote:Hello > ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of menare incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. Iwouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms ofexternal beam radiation in that regard.However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoidingimpotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,99% sounds far fetched to me.> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an> ecouraging 2.4 ...I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be aside effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostatetissue.I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX> ...For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still> be OK.There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number afterradiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,but whether it stays there or goes up.Best of luck.Alan

[Guest guest]



Tom.

Check out the latest on HIFU in the U.S> at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/lqf64h

"Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul." Dickinson

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123@...Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]



Tom.

Check out the latest on HIFU in the U.S> at this link:

http://tinyurl.com/lqf64h

"Hope is the thing with feathers/That perches in the soul." Dickinson

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123@...Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]



It has been around a while. Someone seems to have suddenly reinvented it??

B

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health [mailto:newsmaxreply (DOT) newsmax.com] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123wowwaySubject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.19/2245 - Release Date: 07/18/09 05:57:00

[Guest guest]



It has been around a while. Someone seems to have suddenly reinvented it??

B

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From: Newsmax Health [mailto:newsmaxreply (DOT) newsmax.com] Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AMTo: TKL60123wowwaySubject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active."

The study suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.19/2245 - Release Date: 07/18/09 05:57:00

[Guest guest]

I asked two oncologists at the local PC Association about this and they said that like freezing it is still in the experimental stage.http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1651348/freezing_prostate_cancer_does_a_mans_body_good/index.html

Yesterday on the local news they spoke of cancers being cured using meds which train the good cells in our bodies to attack the cancerous cells and the apparent success in tests.  Widespread testing apparently is starting.  Just imagine if it is totally successful.

 

Any thoughts re: this article?

 

Tom Lauterback

 

From: Newsmax Health

Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

To: TKL60123@...

Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

 

1.

British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British

doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle

road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The

procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt” tumors, is said to be just as

effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing

incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new

technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it

can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days,

which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them

to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at

University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue

and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the

initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer

one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate

following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big

difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy

according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of

the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and

impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual

rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent

and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are

treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead

researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with

prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their

fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but

the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence

is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients

are still sexually active. "

The study

suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men

with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to

the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in

the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it.

Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their

lifetime.

Editor's

Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

 

[Guest guest]

I asked two oncologists at the local PC Association about this and they said that like freezing it is still in the experimental stage.http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1651348/freezing_prostate_cancer_does_a_mans_body_good/index.html

Yesterday on the local news they spoke of cancers being cured using meds which train the good cells in our bodies to attack the cancerous cells and the apparent success in tests.  Widespread testing apparently is starting.  Just imagine if it is totally successful.

 

Any thoughts re: this article?

 

Tom Lauterback

 

From: Newsmax Health

Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

To: TKL60123@...

Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

 

1.

British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British

doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle

road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The

procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt” tumors, is said to be just as

effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing

incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new

technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it

can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days,

which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them

to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at

University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue

and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the

initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer

one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate

following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big

difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy

according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of

the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and

impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual

rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent

and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are

treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead

researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with

prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their

fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but

the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence

is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients

are still sexually active. "

The study

suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men

with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to

the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in

the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it.

Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their

lifetime.

Editor's

Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

 

[Guest guest]

I asked two oncologists at the local PC Association about this and they said that like freezing it is still in the experimental stage.http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1651348/freezing_prostate_cancer_does_a_mans_body_good/index.html

Yesterday on the local news they spoke of cancers being cured using meds which train the good cells in our bodies to attack the cancerous cells and the apparent success in tests.  Widespread testing apparently is starting.  Just imagine if it is totally successful.

 

Any thoughts re: this article?

 

Tom Lauterback

 

From: Newsmax Health

Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

To: TKL60123@...

Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

 

1.

British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

British

doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes a middle

road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

The

procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt” tumors, is said to be just as

effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing

incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

The new

technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated with it

can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of several days,

which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by heating them

to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at

University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue

and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

In the

initial group of 172 men who took part in the trial, 159 were free of cancer

one year later. This rate of cure is virtually the same as the cure rate

following surgery and radiotherapy for early prostate cancer. The big

difference between the ultrasound technique, surgery, and radiotherapy

according to the findings of the study lies in improvement in side effects.

Only one of

the 172 ultrasound patients became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and

impotence was at a much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual

rate for incontinence following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent

and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are

treated with radiotherapy, they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead

researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men are being diagnosed earlier with

prostate cancer because of increasing awareness with many patients in their

fifties and sixties now. It means we are treating them more successfully, but

the side effects are a big issue. Having to wear pads because of incontinence

is not very nice and neither is sexual dysfunction, as a lot of these patients

are still sexually active. "

The study

suggests that high-intensity focused ultrasound someday might help treat men

with early prostate cancer with fewer side effects.

According to

the most recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in

the United States developed prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it.

Statistics show that one in six men will develop it at some point in their

lifetime.

Editor's

Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

 

[Guest guest]

> Yesterday on the local news they spoke of cancers being cured

> using meds which train the good cells in our bodies to attack

> the cancerous cells and the apparent success in tests.

> Widespread testing apparently is starting. Just imagine if it

> is totally successful.

There's no indication that it will be totally successful.

To my knowledge, the furthest advanced of these techniques in

clinical trials is Provenge. The FDA rejected (in a

controversial decision) the company's claim that the treatment is

effective, requiring them to do another clinical trial, which is

underway now.

Not even the makers of the drug are claiming a cure, only that it

can extend life by several months for men who are hormone

refractory. That's a good thing. I'm all in favor of it. But

it's far short of total success.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Yesterday on the local news they spoke of cancers being cured

> using meds which train the good cells in our bodies to attack

> the cancerous cells and the apparent success in tests.

> Widespread testing apparently is starting. Just imagine if it

> is totally successful.

There's no indication that it will be totally successful.

To my knowledge, the furthest advanced of these techniques in

clinical trials is Provenge. The FDA rejected (in a

controversial decision) the company's claim that the treatment is

effective, requiring them to do another clinical trial, which is

underway now.

Not even the makers of the drug are claiming a cure, only that it

can extend life by several months for men who are hormone

refractory. That's a good thing. I'm all in favor of it. But

it's far short of total success.

Alan

[Guest guest]

> Any thoughts re: this article?

....

Tom,

If I remember correctly, earlier trials of HIFU showed cure rates

below those of both surgery and radiation. However, unlike

surgery and radiation, HIFU can be repeated. Again, IIRC, a

second procedure brought the cure rate closer to surgery and

radiation, but still not quite there.

HIFU is a relatively new technique. I don't think it originated

in the UK, though I'm not sure of that. I know it's used in

France and Canada. Like all new techniques, it takes time to

refine it. It takes time to learn the best temperatures to

apply for the right amount of time, the best kind of equipment to

use, the best application techniques, and so on. I expect that,

at some point, HIFU may equal surgery and radiation in

effectiveness, but we won't know that for a while. It may be

easier to apply than surgery (less cutting and healing), and

faster than external beam radiation (one session instead of 40).

It may have lower side effects - or may not.

We don't even know what constitutes a cure yet. When the docs

said 159 men were free of prostate cancer a year later, what did

that mean? Did they have PSA below 1, below 0.1, below 0.01?

Did they not have 3 successive increases in PSA? Just what was

the criterion of freedom from disease? How much do we know about

success criteria in HIFU?

We need the answers to those questions, and we need comparison

studies with men who are matched in age, disease stage, and so on

in order to really know how the success rates compare. Outcomes

reported by the British doctors, men who may have a vested

interest in promoting their technique, can't be compared to

averages. Furthermore, the averages given in the article are

suspect anyway and don't match what I've seen in other

publications - although none of the publications agree with each

other. The statistics on PCA are all a mess since there is no

precise, agreed upon definition of success for every

treatment, or of terms like " incontinence " and " impotence " .

At this point in time, if I were interested in advancing the

state of the art, I might participate in a HIFU trial. However

if I wanted my best shot at a cure, I think I'd still go for

surgery or radiation.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Chris:

Thanks. I'm curious. Why IGRT?

Tom Lauterback

2820 Edgewater Drive

Elgin, IL 60124

(cell)

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of elhorizonte

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:18 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way

to Treat Prostate Cancer



Hi

Tom,

You

can find more info re full (whole prostate) and focal (tumour only) HIFU on www.ukhifu.co.uk You might also want

to read the experiences of men who have had HIFU on www.yananow.net The experiences on

yananow don't seem as straight forward and side effect free as this summary

report suggests is the norm. I considered having HIFU in the UK but eventually

chose IGRT here in Spain.

Malaga,Spain

-----

Original Message -----

From: Tom Lauterback

To: protoninfo

; ProstateCancerSupport

; natural_prostate_treatments

Sent: Saturday, July 18,

2009 5:28 PM

Subject:

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From:

Newsmax Health

Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

To: TKL60123@...

Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to

Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to

treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and

watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to

“melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but

has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and

other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity

focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital

within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery.

The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176

degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can

be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in

sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part

in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is

virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for

early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique,

surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in

improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became

incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate

of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery

and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is

usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can

expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men

are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing

awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are

treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having

to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual

dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active. "

The study suggests that high-intensity

focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with

fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the

Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed

prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in

six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]

Chris:

Thanks. I'm curious. Why IGRT?

Tom Lauterback

2820 Edgewater Drive

Elgin, IL 60124

(cell)

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of elhorizonte

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:18 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way

to Treat Prostate Cancer



Hi

Tom,

You

can find more info re full (whole prostate) and focal (tumour only) HIFU on www.ukhifu.co.uk You might also want

to read the experiences of men who have had HIFU on www.yananow.net The experiences on

yananow don't seem as straight forward and side effect free as this summary

report suggests is the norm. I considered having HIFU in the UK but eventually

chose IGRT here in Spain.

Malaga,Spain

-----

Original Message -----

From: Tom Lauterback

To: protoninfo

; ProstateCancerSupport

; natural_prostate_treatments

Sent: Saturday, July 18,

2009 5:28 PM

Subject:

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

Any thoughts re: this article?

Tom Lauterback

From:

Newsmax Health

Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

To: TKL60123@...

Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to

Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to

treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and

watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to

“melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but

has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and

other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity

focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital

within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery.

The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176

degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say can

be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in

sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part

in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is

virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for

early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique,

surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in

improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients became

incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a much-reduced rate

of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence following surgery

and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the impotence rate is

usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy, they also can

expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men

are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing

awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are

treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having

to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual

dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active. "

The study suggests that high-intensity

focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with

fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the

Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed

prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in

six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It

[Guest guest]

Hello

> ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being

> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I

> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.

Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of men

are incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. I

wouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms of

external beam radiation in that regard.

However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoiding

impotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,

99% sounds far fetched to me.

> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was

> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and

> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an

> ecouraging 2.4 ...

I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be a

side effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostate

tissue.

I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.

> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after

> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX

> ...

For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3

years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).

> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still

> be OK.

There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number after

radiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.

However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,

but whether it stays there or goes up.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Hello

> ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being

> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I

> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.

Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of men

are incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. I

wouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms of

external beam radiation in that regard.

However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoiding

impotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,

99% sounds far fetched to me.

> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was

> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and

> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an

> ecouraging 2.4 ...

I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be a

side effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostate

tissue.

I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.

> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after

> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX

> ...

For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3

years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).

> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still

> be OK.

There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number after

radiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.

However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,

but whether it stays there or goes up.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Hello

> ... With IGRT she could offer me a 99.99% chance of being

> continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except when I

> sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT.

Those are pretty optimistic claims. I've read that 1-3% of men

are incontinent after radiation and maybe 50% impotent. I

wouldn't expect IGRT to be much different from other forms of

external beam radiation in that regard.

However, as a younger man, I think your odds of avoiding

impotence are significantly higher than for older men. Even so,

99% sounds far fetched to me.

> ... My 3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was

> a very frightening 9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and

> my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis. At 7 months my PSA was an

> ecouraging 2.4 ...

I think prostatitis is common with radiation and can even be a

side effect of radiation. The radiation irritates the prostate

tissue.

I had a lot of it during the couple years after radiation.

> ... Research I have read suggests that those who do best after

> IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX

> ...

For what it's worth, maybe nothing, my PSA did not nadir until 3

years after the end of treatment (HDR brachy + 3DCRT).

> and this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still

> be OK.

There's a lot of debate about what is a good PSA number after

radiation. My sense from my reading is, the lower the better.

However, the bottom line is not what your lowest PSA value is,

but whether it stays there or goes up.

Best of luck.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Tom --

Search this group for " HIFU " . You'll find lots of discussion.

While it's _used_ in Canada (there are at least two medical groups doing it on

patients), it's not one of the treatments which the government will pay for. I

believe that the out-of-pocket expense, to the patient, is around $20,000.

The jury is still out on its long-term _effectiveness_.

PS - you should be able to find the medical groups on the Web with a " HIFU

Canada " or " HIFU Toronto " search. The last time I looked, each one was

bad-mouthing the other's technique and equipment.

\

>

> Any thoughts re: this article?

>

>

>

> Tom Lauterback

>

>

>

> From: Newsmax Health

> Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

> To: TKL60123@...

> Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

>

>

>

> 1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

>

> British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that takes

a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

>

> The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be just

as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing

incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

>

> The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men treated

with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead of

several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer cells by

heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers

at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding healthy

tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

[Guest guest]

Thank you, . I'm still thinking protons, but trying to

absorb as much information as possible.

Tom Lauterback

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of cpcohen1945

Sent: Sunday, July 19, 2009 11:53 AM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way

to Treat Prostate Cancer

Tom --

Search this group for " HIFU " . You'll find lots of discussion.

While it's _used_ in Canada (there are at least two medical groups doing it on

patients), it's not one of the treatments which the government will pay for. I

believe that the out-of-pocket expense, to the patient, is around $20,000.

The jury is still out on its long-term _effectiveness_.

PS - you should be able to find the medical groups on the Web with a " HIFU

Canada " or " HIFU Toronto " search. The last time I looked, each

one was bad-mouthing the other's technique and equipment.

\

>

> Any thoughts re: this article?

>

>

>

> Tom Lauterback

>

>

>

> From: Newsmax Health

> Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 10:14 AM

> To: TKL60123@...

> Subject: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

>

>

>

> 1. British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

>

> British doctors have developed a third way to treat prostate cancer that

takes a middle road between radical treatment and watchful waiting.

>

> The procedure, which uses ultrasound to “melt†tumors, is said to be

just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but has a lower risk of causing

incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and other side effects.

>

> The new technique is called high-intensity focused ultrasound, and men

treated with it can be released from the hospital within several hours instead

of several days, which is typical with surgery. The technique kills cancer

cells by heating them to temperatures from 176 degrees to 194 degrees, which

researchers at University College Hospital say can be tolerated by surrounding

healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in sexual function.

[Guest guest]

Chris:

Many thanks. Thank God you weren't rushed into such an

accelerated decision-making process. My situation may well come down to IGRT.

My PSA is relatively low, so presumably I have the time for PSA to reach its

nadir. But your story is very beneficial. Thanks again.

Tom Lauterback

From:

ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of elhorizonte

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 9:05 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way

to Treat Prostate Cancer



Hi

Tom,

I

was 48 at diagnosis by biopsy. I should probably been diagnosed a year earlier

but my GP said a PSA of 7.7 was nothing to worry about. I did my own research

and realised 7.7 was a major problem at my age and found a specialist Uro. As

it happens the first PSA done by him came in at 5.56 with free PSA at 9% and he

said I definitely needed a biopsy. After some thought I agreed and was

diagnosed in July 2008 as Gleason 4+3. 5% of cores positive. The Uro who

did the biop was not the one who gave me the results and the one who did was

not even aware as to why I was in his office! ' Was this my first time here?'

'No I'm here for biopsy results'. 'Oh, OK you have prostate cancer, you

need a radical prostatectomy within a month' I then asked what about my chances

of remaining continent and able to have erections. He answered, well we can hope

for 80% chance of no incontinence and don't worry about impotence, we can give

you implants. I thought, yes you are not the guy for me. I asked for

alternatives and after much insistence on my part he agreed to refer me to a

radio-oncologist in the same hospital. I went home and went on the internet.

That was when I found UKHIFU.net and thought that this sounded like

a good option, they had an out of hours phone line. I rang at 11pm and was

amazed to get a Medic. He really saved my sanity that night. He went through

all my options, not just HIFU, and basically said surgery had the highest

chance of making me impotent - not supposed to be said I know, but I

think reading all the posts, this is probably at least anecdotally true.

As an ex Brit living in Spain I am no longer entitled to NHS ( free,

state) treatment. HIFU would cost between £12000 and £15000 depending on where

it is done, but the NHS were conducting HIFU trials in London and the guy at

HIFU UK knew the head of research and said in view of my age they would be very

interested in including me in the trials free of charge, even though it meant a

loss of 12-15000£ sterling to his company. I was so grateful and he sent me the

applications with a covering letter from him to get me onto the trial, but

I decided to still have the Radio-Onc appointment 2 days later in Spain. She

was such a breath of fresh air; she said at my age it was as important to save

my sex life as it was my life. The surgeons didn't really give a toss about my

sex life (is this alpha male dominence?).She had prepared a 1 hr computer

presentation of all my options, while the Surgeon/Uro gave me less than 5

minutes of his time to discuss my position. With IGRT she could offer me a

99.99% chance of being continent in ALL situations (surgery guys say' except

when I sneeze etc') and a 99% chance of avoiding impotence with IGRT. I

really liked her, and trusted her, and tottering about on 5 " stiletto

heels while the rest of the medical staff wore plastic 'Crocs' made me realise

she liked sex as much as I do!

I

was very tempted by HIFU but it meant 3 months in UK (due to follow up tests as

part of the trial) without friends and family and then flights back every 3

months for a year for follow ups. Here in Spain I would be with my partner ,

with friends, was only 15 minutes from the IGRT Hospital and could keep my

business going, and I have a phobia re catheters which just doesn't exist with

IGRT. I loved my Radio/Onco and decided on IGRT which I don't regret. An

MRI scan showed aconfined tumour 1cm in diameter. The TX was much easier to

bear than I imagined (biggest prob was mild constipation)and I felt

really looked after thru the 8 weeks of daily (Mon -Fri) treatment sessions. I

was able to work right thru the TX but took the last 10 days off as a

reward/holiday to myself. I was till out socialising 2 days before the end of

my TX. My Onco recommended as much sex as possible during TX with

which I complied! In depth convesations with her about changing orgasms

were hilarious (and enlightening). 8 months after TX I have zero incontinence,

I have no problems with erections and need no pills or pumps,tho I do realise

anecdotal evidence suggest I may have problems in a couple of years (my

Onco says it is unlikely to be a problem for me, hopefully she's right!). I do

have a bit of a reduction in libido but suspect this is economic stress

related! Twice a week is now enough.

My

3 months post TX was down to 2.3 but my 6 months PSA was a very frightening

9.9. One week later it was down to 5.0 and my (new) Uro diagnosed prostatitis.

At 7 months my PSA was an ecouraging 2.4 My next test is 2nd September and my

Onco reckons I am on track to being considered cured. The 'problem' with

IGRT is that it does not result in an immediate reduction in PSA like

surgery so you have to put up with PSA tests that can be more stressfull than

those great drops after surgery. Research I have read suggests that those who

do best after IGRT reach their PSA nadir (lowest point) 24 months after TX, and

this ideally should be around 1.0 tho 1.5 ng/ml can still be OK. Bottom line is

it's a much less traumatic option but is a much more drawn out (and therefore

stressful?) option. Oh, and I can still shoot - not much but not zero!

Please

fell free to contact me in private if you want any more details - and

aoplogies to everyone else for such a long post.

Malaga, Spain

-----

Original Message -----

From: Tom Lauterback

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Sent: Saturday, July 18,

2009 8:38 PM

Subject: RE:

FW: British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate

Cancer

Chris:

Thanks. I'm curious. Why IGRT?

Tom Lauterback

2820 Edgewater Drive

Elgin, IL 60124

(cell)

From: ProstateCancerSupport

[mailto:ProstateCancerSupport ] On Behalf Of elhorizonte

Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 2:18 PM

To: ProstateCancerSupport

Subject: Re: FW: British Docs Develop Third Way

to Treat Prostate Cancer



Hi Tom,

You can find more info re full (whole prostate) and

focal (tumour only) HIFU on www.ukhifu.co.uk

You might also want to read the experiences of men who have had HIFU on www.yananow.net The experiences on

yananow don't seem as straight forward and side effect free as this summary

report suggests is the norm. I considered having HIFU in the UK but eventually chose

IGRT here in Spain.

Malaga,Spain

British Docs Develop Third Way to Treat Prostate Cancer

1. British Docs Develop Third Way to

Treat Prostate Cancer

British doctors have developed a third way to

treat prostate cancer that takes a middle road between radical treatment and

watchful waiting.

The procedure, which uses ultrasound to

“melt†tumors, is said to be just as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but

has a lower risk of causing incontinence, impotence, diarrhea, bleeding, and

other side effects.

The new technique is called high-intensity

focused ultrasound, and men treated with it can be released from the hospital

within several hours instead of several days, which is typical with surgery.

The technique kills cancer cells by heating them to temperatures from 176

degrees to 194 degrees, which researchers at University College Hospital say

can be tolerated by surrounding healthy tissue and also by nerves involved in

sexual function.

In the initial group of 172 men who took part

in the trial, 159 were free of cancer one year later. This rate of cure is

virtually the same as the cure rate following surgery and radiotherapy for

early prostate cancer. The big difference between the ultrasound technique,

surgery, and radiotherapy according to the findings of the study lies in

improvement in side effects.

Only one of the 172 ultrasound patients

became incontinent, none had bowel problems, and impotence was at a

much-reduced rate of 30 percent to 40 percent. The usual rate for incontinence

following surgery and radiotherapy is between 5 percent and 20 percent, and the

impotence rate is usually 50 percent. When men are treated with radiotherapy,

they also can expect bleeding and diarrhea.

Lead researcher Dr. Hashim Ahmed said, “Men

are being diagnosed earlier with prostate cancer because of increasing

awareness with many patients in their fifties and sixties now. It means we are

treating them more successfully, but the side effects are a big issue. Having

to wear pads because of incontinence is not very nice and neither is sexual

dysfunction, as a lot of these patients are still sexually active. "

The study suggests that high-intensity

focused ultrasound someday might help treat men with early prostate cancer with

fewer side effects.

According to the most recent figures from the

Centers for Disease Control, 185,895 men in the United States developed

prostate cancer in 2005, and 28,905 died from it. Statistics show that one in

six men will develop it at some point in their lifetime.

Editor's Note:

Prostate

Cancer is Almost Epidemic — Prevent It