← Return to Newly diagnosed with prostate cancer: What might I be in for?

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@bjroc

Just some things to note. Often it is mentioned going to a center of excellence, and yes I did that too, and not saying it won't matter but it depends on who you get too. They all advise what they do, even in great places, so if you go to a great place surgeon he will advise surgery, if you talk to a radiation guy he will say radiation. They are probably better than other places, but still they advise what they do. Dr Woodrum at Mayo is interventional radiologist but he does some other options there. They didn't have many other options when I went, but several new ones are Tulsa Pro, see my story at:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-initial-experience/
Another one is Vanquish in clinical trials one could see if they qualify. I also hear about some getting focal Brachy, no personal experience, but people report doing well.

With Tulsa they can do up to 100% of the prostate if needed, they can leave good areas if it is ok. Tulsa is also fine with BPH if you have any, BPH up to a certain size anyway. Most options are not ok with BPH but Tulsa is so that is a consideration. Older Tulsa they didn't take temperature up that long, now they leave it with temperature up to be sure all cancer cells killed. Anyway places now have improved Tulsa which is good, and I got that. HIFU is like Tulsa but done rectally, can't handle much and not good in many cases and can't be done with BPH. So HIFU is limited cases it can handle.

Vanquish Trials
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05683691

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Replies to "Just some things to note. Often it is mentioned going to a center of excellence, and..."

I wanted to follow up with links on Tulsa Pro, some places are still doing Tulsa as part of studies and they only accept Tulsa patient that meet specific criteria, so if interested in Tulsa call both a private doctor and a medical center to give two opinions. Right now you have to do that with Tulsa.

Tulsa links
https://tulsaprocedure.com/find-a-tulsa-pro-center/
https://tulsaprocedure.com/
If wondering about Tulsa Pro from a science point of view, here is a basic Tulsa science overview article
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9231661/
Conclusions:
“As an alternative to conventional treatments, TULSA is safe and effective for prostate tissue ablation in men with primary PCa. There is also evidence that TULSA delivers effective relief of urinary symptoms while treating PCa in a single, low-morbidity procedure. The likelihood of freedom from additional treatment or potency preservation is associated with the planned ablation fraction.”