Laser Therapy

[arete1105]

Has anyone experienced Laser Therapy? Seems it has been available for awhile now.

uclahealth.org/laser-ablati...

[cesces]

I think it is still considered a fringe therapy.

[rscic]

Also available at USC .... a neighbor to UCLA

[Currumpaw]

Hey arte1105!

I have spoken with two men that have had FLA, focal laser ablation. Both are doing very well.

The link you supplied is dated 2016. Since that time some of the doctors doing FLA are exiting the "learning curve". Outcomes are better and more durable. The men I have talked with have interviewed doctors such as Dr. Klotz and posted these interviews. These men are the organizers of a cancer support group.

FLA is more accurate than HIFU. A FLA is done in bore, using a mp 3.0T MRI. I have been following FLA for years. Like everything, it depends on which doctor you choose.

It is outdated now, but one of the men who was a medical actuary compiled a list of the men who had FLA, their Gleason grades and outcomes to the date that he compiled it. It was impressive yet, as I said, the docs are getting better.

FLA has limited side effects compared to other treatments. Like HIFU it can be done again and doesn't preclude other more conventional treatments in the future.

Many of the men who have recently had FLA are being compensated in part by their insurance companies. That is telling!

Currumpaw

[bdschlag]

I had FLA in September 2017. At the time my PSA was 10, 5 of 12 cores with G7 (3+4).

Procedure was a non-event. 3 hours in the MRI machine, stayed the night in a hotel, flew home the next day. The catheter I had for 7 days was the worst part.

Currently my PSA is 0.7, no signs of cancer, and no side effects.

[billy1950 in reply to bdschlag]

Hi bdschlag,

Could you let me know where you had FLA...and if you had any side effects?

Thanks,

Billy

[bdschlag in reply to billy1950]

Hi, it was performed by Dr Sperling at his office in Delray Beach Florida

[billy1950 in reply to bdschlag]

bds...

Did it get covered by Medicare with Dr. Sperling?

Thanks,

Billy

[bdschlag in reply to billy1950]

No, out of pocket.

[billy1950]

Hi arete,

Have you had the FLA? How are you doing?

Billy

[bdschlag in reply to billy1950]

Hi. I had FLA with Dr Sperling in Sept 2017. At the time PSA was 10+. Today it is 0.6 and no side effects whatsoever. I do have an annual MRI which shows no concerning areas of interest. All good!