HIFU

[Smallfall]

Does anybody have experience with HIFU treatment?

[Hidden]

Yes. I had HIFU surgery in Oct, '16. Had to go out of state and out of pocket. Not covered by Medicare and most other insurance plans. I was gleason 8, with bone and abdominal scans clear, meaning it was likely confined to prostate. A year and a half later my PSA is undectable and I am pleased with the results. If you go this route, as always you will need an experienced practitioner. FDA approved HIFU for 'prostate ablation' in 2015, I believe. Not fun dealing with the supra-pubic catheter but that should only be in play for a few weeks. I had TURP surgery for BPH 10 years prior. Because of that I was considered a poor candidate for conventional RP surgery. TURP is a good thing and almost a prerequisite for HIFU. Find a surgeon and discuss this. I went to SF for my surgery.

[BeachChuck]

Yes, I had HIFU. Had it in May 2016. Done in Sarasota Florida. PSA still undetectable. Catheter was worst part of the entire procedure. Would do it again. Same as WSOPeddie.

[Darryl Partner]

CIGNA just announced it will pay for prostate cancer HIFU

[gordee09]

I had partial abalation HIFU by Dr Stephen Scionti in Sept 2017 (in Sarasota) as I was diagnosed with PC (low grade Gleason 3+3) but my PSA continued to rise. My urologist in Canada (Edmonton) ordered an MRI and found a higher grade cancer in the anterior part of my prostate which was undetectable with the standard biopsy. I was scheduled to have a laser radical prostectomy but called numerous HIFU experts (Toronto, LA, Puerto Vallarta) and chose to go with Stephen Scionti due to his history and passion for the procedure. I was having the procedure within 10 days. Surgery was 3 hours. I walked out and was eating lunch an hour after I woke up from the surgery. Had a catheter for a week. No ED and slight incontinence for 4 months. My PSA was 1.2 at the 3 month mark and .6 at the 6 month mark. I am very happy with the procedure and the results.

[LVRob129]

I just did HIFU with Dr. Pugach in LA on Tuesday. Virtually no pain other than the catheter. Drove back home to Vegas the next day. Good to see the above guys having success with their treatments.

[Smallfall in reply to LVRob129]

Do you have Medicare? Would you mind telling me how much you paid out-of-pocket?

[gordee09 in reply to LVRob129]

I also paid $25,000 US for procedure

[LVRob129]

$25,000 out of pocket. I don't have Medicare.

[Smallfall in reply to LVRob129]

Thanks Rob, good luck!

[Hidden in reply to LVRob129]

Same for me and I do have Medicare. I was able to get a hefty tax refund for that year which effectively represented a discount to that price. Not sure if tax law changes have affected that.

[Smallfall in reply to Hidden]

Thanks and good luck!

[rf3rf3]

Just diagnosed in Feb of this year. Only 50. Gleason a mix of 3+3 and 3+4. Just got engaged and so afraid of side effects of surgery. Deciding between Cyberknife (NY Winthrop) and HIFU (NYU Langone). Any thoughts? Would love and appreciate any feedback.

[LVRob129 in reply to rf3rf3]

I missed this but I would lean toward HIFU. For me, after talking with patients, far too many surgery horror stories.