NanoKnife side effects.
As a minimally-invasive treatment, the side effects of NanoKnife are much less than surgery.
Based on our one-year outcome audit of 265 patients, NanoKnife IRE (NICE HTG688) has minimal side effects compared with radical surgery: 97% of men maintained urinary continence and 90%+ preserved sexual function. Below we explain what to expect before, during, and after NanoKnife treatment, including recovery timelines and potential side effects.
Will I be in pain after focal therapy?
74%
Cancer control
74% needed no further treatment after NanoKnife
90%
Sexual potency
90%+ had normal sexual function after NanoKnife
Urinary continence
97% maintained urinary continence after NanoKnife (FTC audit, n=265)
NanoKnife side effects vs radical prostatectomy
In our clinic’s experience, NanoKnife IRE (NICE HTG688) offers significantly fewer side effects than radical prostatectomy:
| Side effect | NanoKnife IRE (FTC audit, n=265) | Radical prostatectomy (published data) |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary incontinence | Less than 2% (97% of men fully pad-free) | 10-20% |
| Erectile dysfunction | Less than 10% (90%+ preserve function) | 30-70% |
| Hospital stay | Day case | 1-3 days |
| Catheter duration | 1-3 days | 1-2 weeks |
| Return to work | 85% within 2 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| NICE approved | Yes (HTG688) | Yes |
Source: FTC outcome audit (n=265, October 2025) for NanoKnife data. Prostatectomy data from published literature.
For a full explanation of how NanoKnife works, visit our NanoKnife IRE treatment page.
Do NanoKnife side effects go away?
Most early effects — mild burning on urination, urgency, blood in urine or semen — settle within days to weeks. The function-preserving results above reflect outcomes at one year. If any symptom persists beyond your follow-up review, your consultant will assess it directly.
“If you’re deemed suitable for [NanoKnife], it really is a no brainer. I think to go down this line first is the only way if you want to minimise your possible after effects.”
Brian Bishop
The Focal Therapy Clinic patient
Hear from some of our previous patients about their experience with NanoKnife.
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Any questions?
If you’ve got any questions about your prostate cancer diagnosis or want to know more about HIFU treatment or NanoKnife treatment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team.
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