HIFU for pelvic lymph nodes ?

[George71]

Has anyone heard of HIFU for recurring mets in pelvic lymph nodes ?

[GP24]

I recommend SBRT radiation instead.

[dbrooks_h in reply to GP24]

Why?

[GP24 in reply to dbrooks_h]

As arete1105 described, the HIFU device is placed through the rectum und thus is close to the prostate. I have only heard HIFU being used for focal ablation of parts of the prostate.

The procedure is ultrasound guided so I think your doctor will not be able to properly locate affected lymph nodes during the procedure to treat them with HIFU. They will also be at a further distance from the HIFU device than the prostate which will complicate things.

Once you located mets with an MRT or PSMA PET/CT, the RO can make a radiation plan to just radiate these mets. SBRT allows to treat these with e.g. three sessions and usually no side effects. However, there are probably more affected lymph nodes than show up on imageing. So radiating the "entire" pelvis with IMRT may be considered.

[tallguy2 in reply to GP24]

IMRT is what my RO and I decided upon...why not? This may save me a trip back to see him for a few more years...

[arete1105]

My understanding of HIFU is that it is placed through the rectum and against the prostate. It has direct contact with the prostate. It is the heat that works the benefit. If you want to treat mets with heat, then contact someone re: hyperthermia. They use that in conjunction with low dose chemo or radiation. The heat covers a wide area. It is local and not full body. I think in the US they use localized heat while in Germany they use full body hyperthermia and use other techniques to help keep the body from getting too hot.

I did talk to the hyperthermia center in Santa Monica. Talk with BJ( I told him to change his name). He will describe how the process works. They work in conjunction with UCLA and chemo.

[George71 in reply to arete1105]

Thanks arete1105,

It makes you wonder of a hot tub could be of benefit slowing PCa growth

[arete1105 in reply to George71]

I wouldn't use the heat by itself, they say it doesn't work that way. You need to combine it with either low dose chemo (10-15k% of normal dose) or radiation.

[j-o-h-n in reply to arete1105]

Come on now, you're kidding, you didn't tell BJ to change his name to BlowJob did you?

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Sunday 02/10/2019 6:21 PM EST

[407ca]

George,

I havn't heard of that. I have node involvement and relapse in prostate area. I am getting radiation on the nodes and hifu on the prostate.

I don't think hifu can travel as far as the nodes.