Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Score and HIFU Focal Therapy
If you are reading this, you most likely have had a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test done, and the result has been concerning. You may have had multiple tests done to monitor if your PSA score has risen or decreased based upon treatment you may have had.
Along with other tests conducted, you may now be in the position of having confirmed prostate cancer or have had this diagnosis previously and are already on Active Surveillance. You are probably considering treatment options that have been presented to you.
Has HIFU Focal Therapy been mentioned as a treatment option for your prostate cancer?
“Where appropriate HIFU Focal Therapy provides effective cancer control with minimal impact upon sexual potency or urinary continence.”
Mr Mark Laniado Consultant and Prostate Cancer Lead, Wexham Park Hospital, Berkshire
An elevated PSA score can indicate other prostate related conditions such as prostatitis or benign prostatic hyperplasia and is not always an indicator of prostate cancer. PSA in the serum of men with healthy prostates is present in small quantities but is often elevated in the presence of prostate cancer or other prostate disorders. There are also other reasons why your PSA level may be raised due to things like a urine infection or age-related reasons.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) liquefies semen in the seminal coagulated matter and is created for the ejaculate with the main purpose to allow sperm to move freely. The test to find the PSA rating within the bloodstream was approved by the FDA in 1986 and has been used ever since in the evaluation of prostate related conditions in men.
“We have over 5 years evidence of focal therapy treatment for prostate cancer from the UK HIFU Registry.”
Mr Tim Dudderidge, Urological Consultant at University Hospital, Southampton, Berkshire
The PSA level in your blood is measured in nanograms per millilitre (ng/ml) and your doctor will usually see a reading of 3 ng/ml or more as a sign for further investigation. Based upon other factors your doctor may also request further investigations if the reading is lower than this.
If you have prostate cancer and are on active surveillance you will be having regular PSA blood tests to monitor the PSA levels in your blood. This will usually be in combination with other tests to assess the progress and speed of progress of your cancer. You will also likely be having regular PSA blood test if you have had treatment for prostate cancer to assess if the cancer has returned or increased.
If you have early stage prostate cancer and are in a phase of active surveillance, HIFU Focal Therapy should always be considered as a potential treatment option. Many of the reasons for delaying radical procedures such as a prostatectomy or radiotherapy for prostate cancer are due to the high likelihood of side effects. These side effects are mainly erectile dysfunction and bladder incontinence.
HIFU Focal Therapy treatment for prostate cancer does not have the same high risks of side effects as radical procedures. Negative effects on normal erectile and bladder functions after HIFU Focal Therapy treatment are minimal in comparison to treatments such as prostatectomy or radiotherapy.
If you are unsure what the best options are for treating your prostate cancer and are having regular PSA blood tests, we are here to help with confidential advice.
“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.