Focal Therapies

Focal therapies are minimally invasive treatments that target specific areas of cancer within the prostate while preserving healthy prostate tissue. These emerging treatments aim to provide a middle ground between active surveillance and whole-gland therapies (surgery or radiation), potentially offering cancer control with fewer side effects. Focal therapy represents a paradigm shift from treating the entire prostate to targeting only the cancer-containing regions. Using advanced imaging and real-time monitoring, these treatments selectively destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, nerves, and surrounding organs. The goal is to destroy cancerous cells while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible, minimizing side effects and complications while maintaining cancer control.

Common types of focal therapy include:
  •    High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU): Uses sound waves to heat and destroy cancer cells.
  •    Cryotherapy: Freezes and kills cancerous tissue.
  •    Laser ablation and other energy-based methods: Use focused energy to destroy targeted areas.

Focal therapies are generally considered for men with localized, low- to intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and careful imaging and biopsy mapping are essential to determine suitability.