Hi Battleaxe, I am very interested in some of the things you said because there are certain similarities with my situation. Fortunately my GP is not slow to refer me to a specialist if he has any doubts about anything and whilst asking for my blood to be tested for something quite different, said he would ask for the PSA to be checked at the same time. My PSA came back as 17 so a Biopsy was quickly arranged and the multidiciplinary team said I was 3+4=7 Gleason and a T2a. I was started on a monthly course of Zodadex hormone injections and was subsequently informed that the MRI scan which had not been available at the time showed I was a T3a because one of the lymph nodes was enlarged and affected by diameter of 8mm. This was confirmed in writing. However, I asked for another meeting with the Oncologist to discuss possible alternatives to the photon x rays which is the only beam radiotherapy in the UK (other than for eyes for which there is a low powered Proton Beam facility at Clatterbridge.) I also wanted to discuss the randomised hyperfractionated IMRT Clinical Trial I was invited to take part in. Imagine my surprise and relief when the Oncologist mentioned, almost as an aside that they had had another look at my MRI Scan and decided my lymph nodes were clear and that a second MRI Scan scheduled for January would be cancelled and the lymph nodes would not be radiated! I too had been caused more concern than necessary. By the way this was at the best known Cancer Hospital in the UK! Turning now to the proposed treatment. I was told that Ablatherm HIFU was now only used as a salvage operation by that hospital if radiation failed and was not recommended. Brachytherapy was not mentioned but I have seen elsewhere that it has it's own problems by way of side effects and by itself is no more effective than IMRT. However, I have read that used in combination with IMRT high dose Brachytherapy gives good results. Must say I am rather dreading having IMRT where even in this advanced form because of the nature of photon x-rays much of the radiation dose (abbreviated to Gys for Grays) causes collateral damage on it's way to the tumour and on it's way out. There are facilities in the US and some other European countries that use Proton radiotherapy. This is superior from two aspects. Firstly, little of the dose causes damage on the way in and even less on the way out thereby causing less collateral damage. Secondly, a bigger proportion of the gys are deposited on the actual tumour due to the 'Bragg Effect'. Regretfully, Britain is lagging behind in building Proton and the even more advanced facilities that Japan and Germany have that can provide Carbon Ion heavy particle radiotherapy. I am seriously considering blowing my savings (as can't see my Primary Care Trust helping fund my treatment) and having this abroad. Interestingly, the aims are for cross border healthcare for member Countries of the EU. I read that the EU commissioners are due to announce proposals for this later this month but with various systems and countries fighting their own interests don't expect agreement soon. However, in some circumstances individuals whose PCT's have refused reimbursement have taken their PCT's to the European Court of Justice and won. So eventually you will be able to have your treatment in any EU member state. For the present at least - and possibly always, you will have to get prior funding from your PCT. Well that's enough for my first post! Best wishes and Happy Christmas to all. Giant.