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mpMRI Scans and HIFU Focal Therapy

Do you have a raised PSA level? Been experiencing symptoms relating to prostate issues? Are you now in a position of needing further investigations to determine whether you have prostate cancer?

You may be in the position of having forthcoming PCA3 and trans-rectal ultrasound test or have already had these test done. If a biopsy has now been suggested and you have been told a mpMRI scan is not available, there is a long wait for this test or have not had this option mentioned, we are here to help and advise you.

“I think a really high quality MRI scan where you can identify the higher grade cancer does open up this whole chapter of focal therapy to allow you to pinpoint destruction of the cancer and yet not causing a lot of collateral damage, which is what essentially gives the side effects to most treatments.”
Mr Alan Doherty, Urological Consultant MBBS, BSc, MD, FRCS (Urol), FEBU

As a group of urology consultants along with utilising HIFU Focal Therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer whenever appropriate, we have also been using mpMRI scans as a diagnosis aid since its inception.

A 3T mpMRI scan can be carried out for men with an elevated PSA level before a biopsy. This can pinpoint exactly where any areas of interest are located and allow for much more targeted biopsies, which are no longer carried out through the rectum.

The combination of MRI and new precision biopsies has led to a paradigm shift in the way prostate cancer can be diagnosed or ruled out.

Until recently the usual method of determining if your symptoms and raised PSA levels were due to prostate cancer was to perform a biopsy of the prostate. The biopsies performed are called a TRUS (trans-rectal ultrasound) biopsy or a transperineal biopsy.

Whilst many men have had biopsies done by these methods and received accurate results and not suffered any adverse reaction, this is not always the case. Samples taken during the biopsy may not always collect those that show the resident cancer in the prostate. These methods also carry a great risk of infection, acute urine retention following the procedure, erectile issues, and short-term bleeding. There is also evidence to show there is a possibility of seeding or spreading the cancer along the path of the needle used during the procedure.

The development of the 3T mpMRI scan enables us to more accurately diagnose whether prostate cancer is present and the location, and stage of the disease. It is also a far less invasive procedure than a biopsy, which provides a better experience for the patient and far fewer chances of side effects, infections and cancer spreading.

If a biopsy is still needed as a part of the investigation process, but an mpMRI scan has been done first the accuracy of this information allows us to collect the samples directly shown in the mpMRI scan.

“That’s precisely where focal therapy comes in. Once you know where your cancer is and you know the type and the grade of the cancer on a well conducted MRI scan and that well targeted biopsies, you can then safely say, alright, we will treat that area of the prostate cancer with minimal damage to surrounding organs and therefore limit the side effects.”
Mr Raj Nigam, Consultant Urological Surgeon

All our facilities can provide an mpMRI scan at a date and time convenient to you. Before this we would have had detailed conversations with you about your symptoms and any test results you may have already had.

We would welcome the chance to discuss with you your current situation and offer help and advice on whether an mpMRI scan is the best option for you.

“HIFU is something people need to be aware of – I believe this treatment should be more widely available and more widely promoted. It wasn’t something suggested to me as a possibility by my urologist and I actually raised it myself. I would recommend HIFU and in fact have recommended it to others.”

Keith (The Focal Therapy Clinic Patient)

Get In Touch

As a group of consultants we are passionate about all prostate cancer sufferers knowing about all of their treatment options.

Based upon the details that you know and can provide to us, we will send you a Plain English personalised preliminary suitability report for HIFU Focal Therapy treatment of your prostate cancer.

You can use the information we provide in your conversations with your existing NHS and/or private treatment consultant. Should you wish to talk with us further we would be grateful to help you, but there is absolutely no obligation for you to do so whatsoever.

Testimonials

My conversation was very useful. At the time I hadn't been aware it was possible to get HIFU on the NHS, I understood it was only normal if you partook in a trial. I had a consultation with Mr Nigam where I learned he could have it done on the NHS.

David - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

Just a short note Brian to thank you for your advice which is very much appreciated.

Keith - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

When I contacted FTC, Brian went through everything that can happen – it was good to speak to someone knowledgeable and empathetic. Talking to him opened my mind about what options there were.

Prostate Cancer Patient

I found is I was reading something that says, you know, are you happy on active surveillance? Within two hours, I had filled in the online questionnaire. And it wasn't so very long before I got a call back from Brian.

Perry - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

Following my conversation with Brian I had a consultation with Mr Dudderidge at Spire clinic who recommended me to have radical robotic surgery, following CT scans. This has been successful so far. My decision was made following the expert advice of Mr Dudderidge and I am very pleased with all of the information and expertise in my treatment both from Brian and Mr Dudderidge.

Andrew - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

I hadn’t wanted to have either several weeks of radiotherapy or to have my prostate out – my wife and I wanted to be able to continue to enjoy our life together as normal, and focal therapy was the best way for that.

Jim - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

My initial phone conversation was good and very clear about the possibilities and I felt happy about the idea of HIFU.

Viv - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

I found Brian's information and advice to be excellent. I felt he was the kind of person I could call any time and that he helped me through the process.

Paul - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

I was treated very professionally by the staff at The Focal Therapy Clinic and compared to the options I was offered here in Ireland it completely saved my quality of life. For that thank you.

Tom - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

I had felt concerned about undergoing hormone or radio therapy which is what he had been offered, and this concern was affirmed by my conversation with Brian, who recognised it was 'a hell of a thing to do'. I decided that HIFU sounded by far the best option.

Denis - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

The side effects were nothing major and have now cleared up, and the pain went away within a couple weeks – it was better than having your teeth out! When I was doing my research about treatment options after my diagnosis there was a lot of bad press and negativity: then I found HIFU and it was so reassuring to know that there was something out there that was less scary.

David - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

HIFU is something people need to be aware of – I believe this treatment should be more widely available and more widely promoted. It wasn’t something suggested to me as a possibility by my urologist and I actually raised it myself. I would recommend HIFU and in fact have recommended it to others.

Keith - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

If it hadn’t been for you I wouldn’t have found Mr Dudderidge so I can’t thank you enough.

Vernon - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

My treatment, and pre and post info, was great. I had opportunity to have HIFU and Tim was very positive in difficult times being the start of the pandemic. The result is so far very encouraging and I would recommend HIFU to anyone assuming they are in the right profile; indeed I have since to several friends.

Richard - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic

I was so grateful that there was an alternative for me. You know for sure with hormone therapy/radiotherapy/full prostatectomy that you are not going to be back to normal. It gave me hope, and everything was realised that I wanted to be realised.

Jim - Patient of The Focal Therapy Clinic