Prostate Cancer Treatment

My husband and I have been married almost 32 years. Ben (not his real name) was a senior executive in the banking industry for 35 years and is now president of a real estate investment company. I own a boutique gallery that sells items crafted by artisans and presented in our signature packaging that has defined our brand. He is an avid outdoorsman and we are active in community charities.

Ben's PSA spiked two years ago and his doctor missed it. A year later it had doubled. He went on anti-inflammatories and the PSA remained elevated, though still in the "normal" range. His PCA-3 test was negative; his doctor indicated that "these things happen sometimes." I did research, and felt that a 3T MRI and targeted biopsy would be appropriate. I emailed Dr. Catalona and he concurred. We arranged to see Dr. Scionti after obtaining a 3T MRI in Boston. We expected the biopsy would not be necessary.

We went straight from the MRI to Dr. Scionti's office and, as soon as he saw the images, he indicated a biopsy was needed.  He did a painless, targeted biopsy using the Artemis equipment, and I was relieved that Ben felt nothing. As far as I was concerned, that was a prerequisite. All this occurred right before Thanksgiving.  A few days later, Dr. Scionti called with the news-a single small, Gleason 3+3 tumor.

We discussed all treatment options with him, and what other doctors would typically do.  There was no way with something this small that we were going to have a radical treatment because of the side effect risks. Dr. Scionti explained about focal treatment. He never pushed us one way or the other, as some doctors do, but all things considered, focal HIFU seemed like the perfect solution. With Dr. Scionti being so well-versed and practiced, there was almost no chance of side effects.

Once we made the decision, I emailed Dr. Catalona again with the biopsy results and to say we had chosen HIFU. He emailed back, imploring us not to do it. However, we felt very good about our choice.

Another big deciding factor for HIFU was Brandon, one of International HIFU's nurses. A few years ago my husband had neurosurgery, and the information the doctor gave me afterward was inaccurate and devastating. Even though my husband is fine, it left me phobic about him going into a hospital again. Brandon understood.  He said he would take good care of me as well as my husband, and promised he would make it as easy as possible for both of us. After my husband got the same reassurance from him, he said, "I want Dr. Scionti and I want Brandon." I then felt completely at ease traveling to Nassau, knowing Brandon would be there too.  We booked January 25 for HIFU. Now we were ready to celebrate Christmas. Making the right decision and having peace of mind was like a beautifully boxed gift!

HIFU went smoothly. Once the anesthesia wore off, we went back to our hotel and had cheeseburgers that night. Four days later, the catheter came out, and my husband never had a single problem; the same with sexual function.  He's the poster boy for focal HIFU.

I want to add how much Dr. Scionti and International HIFU both include the partner in the whole process.  This can really calm both parties and can be a deciding factor in the chosen treatment.  Let's face it, Dr. Scionti let me sit in during the biopsy and it brought my husband and I even closer and gave us full confidence in Dr. Scionti.

I'm grateful that I didn't give up when the first doctor said there was nothing wrong. If you've been with someone for 32 years, ignorance could cost him his life. This is cancer, and you have to catch it while you can.  We'll go to Boston for follow up with Dr. Scionti. I am his biggest fan.