When faced with a prostate cancer diagnosis, finding a treatment that effectively tackles the cancer while preserving quality of life is crucial. Focal therapy is an innovative, less invasive option that offers hope for men looking to minimize treatment side effects on their daily lives. Let’s explore what focal therapy is, who it’s best suited for, and how it compares to traditional treatments.
What Is Focal Therapy?
Focal therapy is a cutting-edge treatment designed to target prostate cancer in a specific area of the prostate while sparing the surrounding tissues responsible for urinary control and sexual function. Unlike whole-gland treatments like surgery or radiation, which treat the entire prostate, focal therapy zeroes in on the tumor and a small margin of surrounding healthy tissue.Several advanced ablative techniques are used in focal therapy, including:
Cryotherapy: Freezing the cancer cells to destroy them.
Irreversible Electroporation Ablation (IRE): Using electrical pulses to kill cancer cells.
Because focal therapy is less invasive, men can expect to have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.
Who Is a Candidate for Focal Therapy?
Focal therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Ideal candidates are carefully selected to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness. You might be a good candidate if you meet the following criteria:
You have a life expectancy of more than 10 years.
You’ve been diagnosed with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
Your cancer is small and localized.
An adequate margin around the tumor can be achieved without damaging critical structures.
You’re planning a prostate biopsy, such as a transperineal biopsy.
You are committed to ongoing surveillance and follow-up care.
To confirm eligibility, patients typically undergo a specialized prostate MRI, such as a micro-ultrasound, which provides detailed imaging of the tumor and its margins. This precision is key to ensuring effective treatment while minimizing risks.
What Are the Side Effects of Focal Therapy?
One of the most appealing aspects of focal therapy is its reduced risk of side effects compared to whole-gland treatments. Because the therapy avoids harming essential nerves and muscles that are responsible for urinary continence and erectile function, side effects are generally milder. However, it’s important to note that focal therapy may not offer the same level of cancer control as surgery or radiation. Prostate cancer often grows slowly, allowing recurrences to be caught and treated early during regular follow-ups.
How Successful Is Focal Therapy?
Focal therapy has shown promising results, but it’s not without limitations. Approximately 30% of patients may require additional treatment—such as radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy—within seven years. In some cases, repeat focal therapy can be performed for recurrences, though this is typically limited to one additional round before transitioning to whole-gland therapy.
What Happens If Prostate Cancer Comes Back?
Recurrence is always a possibility, but with regular monitoring, prostate cancer can often be caught early and managed effectively. Salvage treatments for recurrent cancer include repeat focal therapy, surgery, or radiation. Treatment success depends on factors such as the extent of the initial focal therapy and the patient’s baseline urinary and erectile function.
Why Consider Focal Therapy?
Focal therapy offers a middle ground between active surveillance and more aggressive treatments. It’s an appealing option for men who want to address their cancer while maintaining a high quality of life. By focusing only on the cancerous areas of the prostate, this approach minimizes damage to surrounding tissues, leading to fewer complications and a faster recovery.
The Bottom Line
For men with localized, intermediate-risk prostate cancer, focal therapy represents an exciting advance in prostate cancer treatment. While focal therapy is not for everyone, it offers a targeted, less invasive option with reduced side effects. If you’re considering focal therapy, have a conversation with your healthcare provider, determining if it’s the right choice. Regular screenings and proactive management remain key to catching and addressing prostate cancer early.Dr. David Samadiis the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of two books, Prostate Cancer, Now What? A Practical Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery, and The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.
