Focal Therapy: Fight prostate cancer with unmatched, targeted precision
HIFU and NanoKnife treatment
based upon advanced diagnostics.
HIFU : Soundwave-Based Treatment
“In Focal Therapy, the aim is to get rid of the cancer that is causing concern whilst ensuring that the patient does not become incontinent and has a much lower chance of losing erectile function.”
Mr Tim Dudderidge, Urological Consultant at The Focal Therapy Clinic
Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer?
- Day case procedure : rapid recovery
- Excellent cancer control
- No incontinence
- Preservation of erectile function
An estimated 1 in 8 white men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This risk increase to 1 in 4 black men of African Caribbean origins.
Men with organ confined, localised prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7 or less can be considered for Focal Therapy.
At The Focal Therapy Clinic, we offer precise, non-invasive and successful treatments for localised prostate cancer with minimal side effects. These treatments are High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Irreversible Electroporation (NanoKnife IRE).
What is HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment?
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatment is the most popular and well-evidenced type of focal therapy treatment for prostate cancer with over 20 years of clinical use, over 50,000 patients treated and multiple successful clinical trials.
Focal HIFU treatment is effective in treating medium to large-volume prostate cancers in the lower part of the prostate gland where over 75% of prostate cancer occurs. More recently Focal NanoKnife treatment is being used to treat the 25% of prostate cancer tumours which occur in the front of the prostate gland which were often not possible to treat with HIFU treatment.
HIFU is an ultrasound wave-based treatment for prostate cancer that uses a pair of high-intensity ultrasound beams to heat targeted areas of the prostate, destroying cancer cells and preserving sensitive prostate tissue and structures which do not have cancer cells. the HIFU procedure is carried out under general anaesthetic and sophisticated 3D MRI Fusion software is used to guide the treatment of the targeted prostate cancer cells.
Extensive clinical trials have shown that HIFU provides effective cancer control whilst preserving erectile function and urinary continence.
A UK based clinical trial of 625 men who had the HIFU procedure was reported in 2018 and 2021 and its results were very encouraging. 100% of men had no urinary problems within 2 weeks of treatment and 95% of men had a normal erectile function at 6 weeks after treatment. At 8 years after treatment, cancer control amongst the men treated on the trials was equivalent to a group of similar men who had undergone Robotic Prostatectomy.
“Using precision diagnostics, we are able to pinpoint and treat the specific area of cancer. Traditional prostate cancer treatment is like using a sledgehammer to kill a flea.”
Mr Alan Doherty, Urological Consultant at The Focal Therapy Clinic
“Using precision diagnostics, we are able to pinpoint and treat the specific area of cancer. Traditional prostate cancer treatment is like using a sledgehammer to kill a flea.”
Alan Doherty, Urological Consultant at The Focal Therapy Clinic
Steve’s story (04:15)
STEVE'S STORY
BENEFITS OF HIFU FOCAL THERAPY
The main benefit of Focal HIFU prostate cancer treatment for localised prostate cancer is the clinical precision with which it can be performed. Targeting only the prostate cancer cells, the HIFU treatment enables the other tissues and structures of the prostate and surrounding area to remain completely untouched.
This ensures that any damage to healthy tissue is avoided — something that typically increases the risk of the debilitating side effects associated with traditional prostate cancer therapies, such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
Unsurprisingly, these side effects can significantly affect your quality of life, even after the cancer has gone.
Other key benefits of HIFU therapy for prostate cancer include:
- Effective cancer control — similar to radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy treatments
- Minimally invasive — non invasive surgery, no radiation, no hormone therapy
- A day (outpatient) procedure — meaning you can go home the same day and often as little as 90 minutes after your procedure
- Quick recovery time (within 2–3 days)
- Minimal post-operative pain and discomfort
- Minimal risk of incontinence (98% of patients fully continent at 2 weeks)
- Preservation of erectile function (95% of patients maintain erectile function)
- Can be repeated if necessary
- Does not exclude further treatment with radiotherapy or surgery if required
Getting Focal HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment
The prospect of cancer treatment can be daunting, but it can help to ease your worries if you know what to expect. Here’s everything you need to know about before, during and after HIFU prostate cancer treatment.
Before the procedure
Before you can have Focal HIFU prostate cancer treatment, you’ll first need to have your suitability for the procedure assessed to ensure that it is the right treatment for you.
This will involve a consultation with your consultant urologist / surgeon, where you’ll discuss your medical history and cancer diagnosis, and talk about what you hope to gain from your treatment and any worries that you have.
The critical point that your consultant will focus upon is to ensure that the MRI scan and histopathology biopsy results produce a detailed image of the area of the prostate that has prostate cancer cells and confirms that the rest of the prostate does not have clinically significant prostate cancer.
We may need to carry out some tests such as MRI scan and a biopsy to find out more about the tumour in your prostate. Your consultant will explain why each test is necessary and what to expect at each step of the process.
Physical preparation for your treatment has been shown to be a contributing factor in its success and your recovery. Your surgeon will explain to you the importance of eating well before and after your surgery. They will also talk to you about the various steps you’ll need to take to prepare for the Focal HIFU procedure, such as if there are any medications you should stop taking before treatment and when you should stop eating and drinking before your general anaesthetic.
Your surgeon and specialist nurse will be able to answer any questions you have so that you understand all that the treatment involves. They’ll tell you how long the surgery will take, what you can expect from your recovery and when you can get back to your usual daily activities such as exercising or going to work.
During the Focal HIFU prostate cancer procedure
HIFU is a non-invasive treatment for prostate cancer. This means that there are no incisions made into the skin and no wounds to care for afterwards.
On the morning of your treatment, you may be given an enema to empty your bowels. This will make it easier for your surgeon to see the images of your prostate clearly, ensuring the accuracy of your treatment.
The HIFU treatment is performed under general anaesthetic, which will put you into a deep sleep before it takes place.
Once you are anaesthetised, a lubricated probe will be inserted into your rectum. This probe will emit a high frequency, ultrasound energy to heat and destroy the cancer cells in the prostate. It treats just a very small area at a time, and your surgeon will move the beam around to ensure all the cancer cells are targeted. The treatment is guided by 3D MRI imaging software to ensure accuracy. The probe is surrounded by a cooling balloon to protect the rectum.
The Focal HIFU procedure for prostate cancer normally takes between one and two hours.
HIFU recovery and aftercare
Every patient is unique and recovery from your HIFU procedure will depend on multiple factors, including your age and fitness level.
You should expect it to take up to 48 hours for the effects of the general anaesthetic to wear off, so you should not drive until this time has passed, although you will still be able to return home the same day.
You’ll be fitted with a catheter as part of your surgery, and you will need to wear this for up to seven days. Your care team will show you how to manage this at home. Patients can expect to be able to pass urine easily and with good bladder control as soon as the catheter is removed.
Your surgeon will talk to you about the importance of taking enough time to rest and recover following your surgery. You will be advised to avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for at least a week, and sexual intercourse until your catheter is removed.
It’s important to follow all aftercare and follow-up appointment instructions provided to you by your surgical team.
Find out more about the HIFU procedure, preparation and recovery here.
HIFU prostate cancer treatment success rates
HIFU prostate cancer treatment is a very popular and successful therapy.
For many people, most importantly it has been shown to have no impact on the healthy tissues and structures surrounding the prostate. By keeping these tissues healthy and intact, HIFU treatment almost eliminates the side effects associated with traditional radical whole gland prostate cancer treatments.
Is Focal HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment available on the NHS?
Currently, HIFU prostate cancer treatment is not an option available on the NHS except under limited clinical trial conditions. Prostate cancer treatments covered by the NHS include:
- Surgery. This involves removal of the prostate gland. Typical risks and side effects include bleeding, infection, infertility, urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Hormone – Radiotherapy. A less targeted approach, hormones weaken cancer cells and radiotherapy blasts them with radiation to destroy them. There are also side effects associated with radiotherapy including erectile dysfunction, bowel incontinence, depression and fatigue.
- Hormone therapy. Hormone therapy doesn’t cure prostate cancer alone, but it can be used to slow the progression of advanced cancer and relieve your symptoms. It blocks testosterone, but this too has side effects including low libido, erectile dysfunction, depression and more.
At The Focal Therapy Clinic, we offer Focal Therapy treatments for prostate cancer (HIFU and NanoKnife) as an alternative to these more traditional treatments.
HIFU side effects
Any cancer treatment can pose a risk of side effects and HIFU is no exception. However, when compared to the treatments currently offered by the NHS, HIFU side effects are mild and much less frequent.
As you know, you’ll need to wear a catheter for a few days following your procedure, but once this is removed, you shouldn’t experience any long-term effects.
The side effects associated with HIFU include:
- Temporary urinary symptoms
- The risk of contracting a urinary tract infection
- Some blood and seminal fluid in your urine in the days and weeks after surgery as the cells in the tumour break down
- A small risk of infertility due to decreased/absent ejaculatory fluid
- Erectile dysfunction issues, but this is rare
However, most men will experience minimal to no side effects at all. In fact, recent clinical studies have shown that following HIFU Focal Therapy treatment, 98% of patients had no issue with urinary continence and 95% maintain erectile function.
If you are worried about any HIFU side effects at all, speak to your consultant. They will be able to explain the risks that may affect you in more detail.
How much does Focal HIFU Prostate Cancer Treatment cost?
The cost of your HIFU treatment at The Focal Therapy Clinic will be broken down into an initial consultation, and then the procedure, medicine and aftercare.
The cost of an initial consultation, which includes a review of your medical history and a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment options is £250 including VAT. This consultation can take place in person, or by video call.
The package cost of a HIFU procedure, including treatment, medicine and necessary aftercare usually starts from £14,000 including VAT.
It’s also worth noting that your treatment is likely to be covered by a private medical insurance policy if you have one.
request a callback
At The Focal Therapy Clinic we are passionate about prostate cancer sufferers knowing about all of their treatment options.
We know that settling on the right treatment is a big decision for you. If you would like to speak to one of our friendly and knowledgeable patient advocates about your diagnosis and Focal Therapy treatment option then please do not hesitate to get in touch today.
All enquiries to The Focal Therapy Clinic are confidential, and we are delighted to offer our advice and support with no obligation.
HIFU FAQS
Listen to Consultant Urologist Tim Dudderidge provides a clinical overview of focal therapy
"In delivering the treatment we avoid the patient having progressive disease, but, importantly, we preserve their functional status, meaning the patient does not become incontinent and has a lower chance of losing erectile function."
