Prostate cancer

For some men with localised prostate cancer, focal therapy is discussed as an alternative to whole-gland surgery or radiation. Suitability depends on MRI, biopsy mapping, grade group, volume of disease and your preferences about function and uncertainty.

What focal therapy aims to do

Focal approaches try to treat the dominant tumour area while limiting damage to the rest of the gland. Long-term cancer control, retreatment rates and functional outcomes are active areas of clinical study. No focal modality guarantees the same cancer outcomes as radical prostatectomy or whole-gland radiotherapy in all patients.

Typical discussion points

  • Multiparametric MRI appearance and targeted biopsy correlation.
  • Grade group, volume of disease and whether disease looks unifocal.
  • Baseline urinary and sexual function and what you want to preserve.
  • How surveillance or whole-gland treatments compare for your risk group.

Modalities on this site

Introductory pages cover HIFU, IRE (NanoKnife), cryotherapy, focal laser ablation, TOOKAD VTP and focal brachytherapy.

Broader prostate cancer care

Screening, diagnosis, active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy and drug therapies are summarised on the main practice site: Urology NSW - prostate cancer.

If you wish to know whether any focal modality is offered in your situation, book a consultation so your scans and notes can be reviewed.

Considering focal therapy?

You can ask for a second opinion on imaging, diagnosis and treatment options before you decide.

Request a second opinion Call 02 8382 6980