1. Community
  2. Men's health
  3. Prostate Problems

FOCUSED LASER ABLATION

Posted , 35 users are following.

Ronnie_S
Ronnie_S

Hi, has anyone had the procedure called FOCUSED LASER ABLATION

for BPH?This procedure is approved by the Food & Drug.This procedure does not have the usually side effects because the prostate is not accessed throught the urethra.This procedure also permanently relieved the symptoms of BPH. Dr. Sperling is the expert in this procedure.

Sounds great to me! RONNIE

0 likes, 364 replies

364 Replies

Prev
  • mikemh
    mikemh Ronnie_S

    Posted

    Hi Folks.

    ?Everything I have read points to this being the 'best' solution for BPH in terms of range of applicability and lack of side effects.  It sounds as though it is what I am looking for.  As far as I can see, it is just not being taken up by the medical authorities. 

    ?Has anyone heard of any doctors in UK that practice it or are involved?

    • jimjames
      jimjames mikemh

      Posted

      Hi Ronnie,

      I wouldn’t necessarily agree with your statement that FLA for BPH is the "best" solution for BPH in terms of applicability and lack of side effects. Given the newness of this application for bph, I would think "promising" is a more apt description. 

      In terms of side effects, both PAE Urolofit and possible REZUM, promise no sexual side effects, are less invasive, and seem to have shorter recover times. 

      Yes, John has had an excellent result that changed his life, but if you take the time, you will find similar stories on almost all of the procedures.

      As one example, recently we had a fellow post that REZUM changed his life, almost overnight. Going from an IPSS of in the 30's (severe) to zero (normal). We've seem similar results for PAE and Urolift as well.

      On the other hand, we’ve also seen posts on all of these procedures where the results were not so good. And unfortunately, we will probably see the same with FLA as more data becomes available. That is because what often determines the results is not just the procedure, or the doctor, but the underlying condition of both prostate and bladder. Outcome predictions can be maximized with testing which is not always done, but even when it’s done, current tests have limitations.

      Not trying to dissuade you from FLA, because as I said earlier it does sound promising. But, if you have time to wait, you might want to do so until more patient data comes in. Very little to look at now. 

      Jim

    • mike588
      mike588 jimjames

      Posted

      I think Jim that is the most important consideration, does one have "time to wait" ? The longer one waits, the more chance any procedure won't be as good - as in my case with bladder wall got thickened and tribeculated.

      I agree you can hear good stories about all procedures, I met a doctor who was very happy with TURP done to him, I have a friend in Australia who had Green Light and is very happy, no retro either.

    • kenneth1955
      kenneth1955 mike588

      Posted

      They were very lucky. thedocto r were careing enough to take there time.   But the main thing is not to rush into any procedure.  Only your body can tell you it time.  There have been men on here that did not wait and did not get a second opinion.  He had a GL done did not work the doctor said lets do another so he did that one did not do anything either.  So he had a Turp done by the same doctor.  That did not work and cause him more proplem then wen he first started.   Ken  
    • jimjames
      jimjames mike588

      Posted

      @mike588  The longer one waits, the more chance any procedure won't be as good - as in my case with bladder wall got thickened and tribeculated.

      -----------------------------------------------

      Hi Mike,

      Good point, however you can both wait on surgery and address potential problems like you mention at the same time.

      If you routinely monitor your bladder architecture and residuals -- bladder wall thickening, trabeculation and kidney issues can be avoided either by medication and/or CIC. The latter which will protect your bladder and kidneys as well as any surgery.

      On the other hand, if you just let things slide, like many here do  (including myself) then your bladder and kidneys will not thank you smile

      Jim

  • sam19736
    sam19736 Ronnie_S

    Posted

    I checked online and not approved for bph, but used for cancer. I see many guys in the forum have had it but beware that I could not find a single scientific paper supporting it. 
  • sam19736
    sam19736 Ronnie_S

    Posted

    I asked my doc who did my pae and he mentioned there is no data published to support it for bph. It grew as a focal treatment to kill small prostate cancers, but doesn't treat an entire gland and there are parts of the gland that cannot be reached by the needles places in tot the prostate. Plus, risks are u known but not studied for bph in large numbers yet

Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.