The article shares a personal journey of choosing a prostate cancer treatment that prioritized quality of life over longevity. It explores the decision-making process, treatment options, and the eventual choice of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) ablation, highlighting its benefits and challenges.
by Terri McBride, Health Leader
When I booked my first appointment with a urologist to begin testing for prostate cancer, I also started looking into possible treatment options. My goal was to understand what the doctor might suggest so I could ask good questions and be prepared.
At my local hospital, the main treatment choices included surgery, external beam radiation, brachytherapy, and CyberKnife®. I knew these names, but I wasn’t sure which one worked best.
Determining the Best Treatment Option
After I received a stage T2c prostate cancer diagnosis, I went to another urologist for a second opinion about treatment options. The doctor said, “We don’t know which treatment is best for any individual patient, and we cannot predict the severity of side effects.” Hearing this was tough—it felt like there were no clear answers.
Clear success rates and hard facts were what I was looking for, but that visit made me realize something important. I needed to set my own goals for treatment. Above all, I cared about keeping my quality of life, not just living longer. My top concern was avoiding urinary or fecal incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Comparing the Side Effects of Surgery and Radiation
Next, I visited a local radiation oncologist who handed me a spreadsheet comparing each treatment and its typical side effects.
I looked over the information and saw several possible side effects from surgery:
- Urinary incontinence
- Worse sexual function compared with radiation treatments
- Better bowel and bladder function than radiation
- Shortening of the penis due to prostate removal and urethra reattachment
Radiation treatments come with their own risks. Some common side effects are:
- One to two months of severe fatigue
- Bladder irritation causing frequent burning during urination
- Loose stools or diarrhea lasting up to a year
- Better sexual function than surgery
- Potential damage to the bowel or bladder
Opening Myself to Alternative Treatments
These treatments didn’t match my goal of keeping my quality of life. Looking at the side effects, I became less willing to choose the usual options. I still remembered the long, painful recovery after my two hernia surgeries and didn’t want to go through that again. The thought of a harder healing process worried me. Radiation therapy raised its own concerns, especially with the idea of using a hydrogel rectal spacer to protect the rectum.
I realized I needed a new outlook, so I called my brother, who works as a heart surgeon. He reminded me that every serious treatment brings its own side effects. That was tough to accept, but it made me see things differently. As we talked, he suggested checking out other prostate cancer treatments across the country. All those stressful months and sleepless nights pushed me to finally consider different options.
Discovering High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
Exploring new options wasn’t easy. Many hospitals focus on their usual treatments and talk up their experienced staff. After some searching, I came across a doctor who gave a talk on high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation for prostate cancer. The hospital was five hours away, but I was ready to find out more.
At the presentation, I found out that HIFU ablation happens while the patient is under anesthesia. The doctor inserts a probe into the rectum, placing it next to the prostate. This probe sends out focused ultrasound waves that heat up to over 185°F, destroying the cancer cells in a targeted way and leaving most healthy tissue unharmed. Unlike other treatments, HIFU doesn’t involve surgery or radiation. Side effects can still happen, but they tend to be less severe than with standard options. Recovery for most people is also quicker.
Reflecting on My Recovery and Long-Term Results
In May 2022, I chose to have HIFU ablation. For me, the procedure was nearly painless. Some men get temporary swelling in the penis or scrotum, but I did not have this problem. I did, however, need a urinary catheter for two weeks.
Once the doctor took out the catheter, I had a tough time passing blood clots for about three weeks. For two months, I dealt with minor incontinence. For about a month, urinating caused a burning feeling, but I got relief from over-the-counter pain medicine. My sexual function came back within three months. Now, I can have satisfying orgasms, although I no longer ejaculate because my prostate doesn’t produce semen anymore.
Now, four years after HIFU, I’m still under active surveillance with my doctor. Since the treatment destroyed 85% of my prostate, the small amount of tissue left keeps making prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Every six months, my doctor checks my PSA to catch any signs of trouble early. I’m grateful for my decision—choosing HIFU allowed me to keep my quality of life, and so far, there’s been no sign of cancer returning.
The Narrative Matters shares empowering stories and scenarios to help our readers stay healthy and informed.
Treatment results and side effects vary from person to person. This information does not replace professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.
This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author. No advertiser paid for this content. The ProstateCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed here. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.
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