Focal therapy is a treatment method that targets and treats only the cancerous tissue within the prostate, leaving the surrounding healthy tissue intact. For some patients, focal therapy can treat the more aggressive tumor and leave the less aggressive (indolent) tumor for monitoring. Focal therapy is a customizable treatment for a patient’s particular situation.

Candidates typically have localized, low to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and the cancer should be visible and accessible on imaging.

Common types include Cryotherapy (freezing the cancer cells), Focal Laser Ablation (FLA), High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), irreversible electroporation eg (IRE, or NanoknifeTM), photodynamic therapy, Tulsa-Pro and Microwave.

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Focal therapy aims to reduce side effects associated with whole-gland treatments, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, while still effectively treating the cancer.

Studies show promising results, but long-term data are still being collected. It is considered effective for appropriately selected patients.

Side effects are generally fewer than traditional treatments but can include urinary symptoms, erectile dysfunction, reduced ejaculate volume, and infection.