Anyone do Tulsa Pro, newer laser ablation procedure?

Posted by michael1952 @michael1952, Dec 16, 2021

Anyone do Tulsa Pro, relatively new laser ablation procedure for prostate

What was your experience, did you do partial or full ablation?

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bjroc | @bjroc | Feb 5, 2024

In reply to @cla "Can someone shed some light on the Tulsa Pro treatment? How does insurance kick in if..." + (show)

Since the Medicare code exists and will be in place Jan 1 2025, some say the insurance has already covered it but have no idea what insurance would. Just a rare few it gets covered till next year. Mine was not covered, just over $30K. Here is my experience
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tulsa-pro-initial-experience/
I am doing well 3 months out, pee way better now than last few years leading up to the Tulsa Pro, but for a few months I needed the alpha blocker (Flowmax) but I stopped that at 2 months and now at 3 months I am real happy. Nobody can say on cancer but hoping all goes well on that. My PSA went from max at 16 to 3.0 now at 3 months. No ED or incontinence. If any questions just shout.

CLA | @cla | Feb 5, 2024

Can someone shed some light on the Tulsa Pro treatment? How does insurance kick in if anything? TY

harleychevy | @harleychevy | Apr 25, 2023

I'm 68 my prostate mywas removed in 2009 when psa was 20 now 2022 it is 81.4 have been to 3 cancers have done all tests that can be done and they can't find it ? . I'm doing injections to keep psa down but stopped in feb of 2023 letting psa go back up for another pet test . Prostate was removed by mayo i went back to same dr that did surgery and 2 more cancer centers from there . Dr's you have to love them .

poodledoc | @poodledoc | Jan 23, 2023

In reply to @russm "First of all, I wish you the very best with your MRI and future PSA tests...." + (show)

@russm I had a PSA done in July 2022 which read 1.1 then another one 2 yrs post HIFU on Jan 10 which read 1.3 slightly elevated but Dr says he wants to wait until April to do the follow-up MRI and a PSA repeat. My PSA nadir was 0.9 on August 2021. He also said he does not get concerned unless the PSA rises 1.2 points above the nadir which in my case would be 2.1 Although you should not get too tied up with PSA numbers as they can certainly fluctuate. Bill

russm | @russm | Jan 21, 2023

In reply to @poodledoc "I have my 1 year recheck with MRI in a couple of weeks. My PSA before..." + (show)

First of all, I wish you the very best with your MRI and future PSA tests. I hope they are perfect in your favor. If you are comfortable sharing those results, I am sure myself and others are anxious to hear them.

I am still in the "treatment" decision process and will be having a PSMA PET scan in a little over a week. At this point, I am considering pretty much every option including TULSA PRO, HIFU, radiation or surgery.

As mentioned, I had a couple of Gleason 8's (16 percent and 8 percent) in the two cores and a couple of Gleason 7's out of 12 samples. I sent my scans and reports out to several doctors and spoke with your doctor on Friday. He requested the aforementioned scan and mentioned that I may need more when and if he sees me for a TULSA or HIFU consultation.

Thank you again and best of luck moving forward.

poodledoc | @poodledoc | Jan 19, 2023

Hello @russm When I was doing research a few years ago I found these 2 articles to help with my decision. These pertain to HIFU and not TULSA PRO however. I would trust the doctors at Mayo. Good luck to you. Bill
https://www.hifuprostateservices.com/do-you-qualify-for-hifu/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/urology/news/high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-for-the-treatment-of-prostate-cancer/mqc-20519431

russm | @russm | Jan 18, 2023

In reply to @poodledoc "Hello Russm, I have had 2 Prostate HIFUs. The first by an in-experienced urologist in Dec..." + (show)

Bill,
I thought I'd give you an update. My biopsy showed that I have prostate cancer. On the left side of my gland, I have a 3+4, a 4+3, and two 4+4 samples that showed up. I also had a small 3+3 in the right side. I was so disappointed as the biopsy report also showed my prostate density at .09 and my prostate volume at 56cc. Considering, I had free PSA ranges from 22 to 28 and not too high of a PSA...and a PSA density well under the .15 that is sometimes referenced. I did not expect to have Gleason 8 cancer. I remain hopeful that someone will accept me for HIFU or TULSA. I am concerned as the biopsy also mentioned some calculi. I read that calculi can prevent you from having the treatment. But, I also read that calculi can be removed. Thank you again for your replies. I have already sent in my biopsy reports and the MRI for review.

fowleraacapt | @fowleraacapt | Dec 13, 2022

They say at least 8ozs a day has been shown to help. I believe it has to be pure and god quality like PomPom.

pgcdds | @pgcdds | Dec 13, 2022

In reply to @fowleraacapt "Russ I also had 2 RAD 4 lesion show up in MRI with PSA of 5.8,..." + (show)

How many daily ounces of Pomegranate juice do you recommend drinking?

russm | @russm | Dec 12, 2022

In reply to @fowleraacapt "Russ I also had 2 RAD 4 lesion show up in MRI with PSA of 5.8,..." + (show)

That is an incredible and positive message. Thank you so much for sharing! I am hopeful considering my Free PSA is pretty high and considering I have 57.4 volume. There are a few calculators out there that put things in my favor. With that said, I don't want to become overly optimistic. Thank you again.