Highly-Focused Ultrasound- Palliative Therapy for Metastasized Prostate and Breast Cancer?

Hi Kris,

I am sorry to read of your friend’s bone pain. Though my cancer is different from your friend’s I too experienced bone pain in my sacrum/iliac crest.

Several possible therapies for her to consider. According to the articles linked in that post, yes, HIFU therapy has been shown to zap bone mets.I don’t know where your friend lives but I think there are two clinical trials going on in Toronto for this therapy. Further, while I was updating that article researching current metastatic bone therapies I found a current article on cryotherapy also used to kill bone metastasis.

Lastly, your friend should be undergoing bisphosphonate therapy. Bis. therapy is common for newly diagnosed patients with my cancer because of the prevalence of bone destruction. Your friend’s oncologist may have already discussed this therapy with her.

If you would like I can forward articles about CBD (medical marijuana) for pain management. I work with several survivors who use CBD oil with and without opioids for cancer pain management.

Let me know. Thanks.

David Emerson

Hi Marcella,

I am sorry to learn of your father’s metastatic prostate cancer. Yes, if I read the study correctly, HIFU therapy can zap the cancer in your father’s bones making him feel less pain.

You will face two challenges. First, since not every hospital or doctor’s office offers HIFU therapy, you and your dad will have to locate and travel to a clinic that offers HIFU therapy.

Second, you are right on. Getting Medicare to pay for your dad’s HIFU therapy may be a challenge. My understanding of billing is that 1) your doctor must order or prescribe the therapy. Secondly, if your payment or reimbursement is denied, I understand that you may be successful in subsequent attempts. Lastly, and this is just a thought I had, consider finding a “palliative” doctor. Meaning, no therapy can cure your dad once his PCa has metastasized. But your dad should receive palliative therapies such as HIFU in order to control any bone pain he may have.

The field of palliative therapy is designed, not to cure, but to manage symptoms. Medicare may be more sympathetic to a palliative doctor than to a regular MD. Maybe…

Good luck,

David Emerson