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 tests done. If a biopsy has now been suggested but you have been told a mpMRI scan is not available, there is a long wait for this test, or you 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
Alongside utilising HIFU Focal Therapy as a treatment for prostate cancer whenever appropriate, our Urological Consultants have been using mpMRI scans as a diagnostic 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 via these methods, received accurate results and not suffered any adverse reactions, 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 that there is 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, 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 biospy is still needed as part of the investigation process, the information from a mpMRI scan allows us to collect the samples directly from the areas of suspicion that have been identified.
“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.