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NanoKnife: IRE focal therapy treatment

Home | NanoKnife: IRE focal therapy treatment

NanoKnife is a special treatment for prostate cancer. It uses electrical pulses to create tiny holes in the cancer cells, causing them to die. It targets only the cancer cells, leaving healthy tissues unharmed. NanoKnife is a less invasive option that aims to treat the cancer effectively with fewer side effects than other treatments.

Want to know more?  Get in touch to talk to an expert

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Fast recovery

Outpatient procedure with quick recovery time (2-3 days)

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Little to no side effects

Low risk of incontinence and impotence

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Minimally invasive

No hormones, radiation or incisions

NanoKnife is a special treatment for prostate cancer. It uses electrical pulses to create tiny holes in the cancer cells, causing them to die. It targets only the cancer cells, leaving healthy tissues unharmed. NanoKnife is a less invasive option that aims to treat the cancer effectively with fewer side effects than other treatments.

Want to know more?  Get in touch to talk to an expert

SIDE EFFECT RADICAL
PROSTATECTOMY
FOCAL THERAPY
(HIFU, NanoKnife)
Erectile
Function
39% 68%
Pad-free
continence
86% 97%
SIDE EFFECT RADICAL
PROSTATECTOMY
FOCAL THERAPY
(HIFU, NanoKnife)
Erectile
Function
39% 68%
Pad-free
continence
86% 97%
Laughing middle-aged man with gray hair and beard wearing casual clothes sits on bench and uses mobile phone. Mature gentleman in eyeglasses talking on smartphone

Is NanoKnife right for me?

NanoKnife is a minimally-invasive, effective treatment for men with early to intermediate-stage prostate cancer. It’s particularly effective for cancers located in the anterior or lateral areas of the prostate that are too hard to reach with HIFU treatment.

HIFU could be right for you if your prostate cancer is:

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    Early stage

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    Intermediate-stage

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    Localised

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    Recurrent

It could also be the right choice if you are looking to avoid long-time side effects from prostate cancer treatment.

Laughing middle-aged man with gray hair and beard wearing casual clothes sits on bench and uses mobile phone. Mature gentleman in eyeglasses talking on smartphone

Side effects

There is a risk of side effects with any prostate cancer treatment. NanoKnife side effects are generally mild and infrequent, but it’s still important you know what they are. They can include:

  • Small amounts of blood and seminal fluid in your urine, caused by your tumour breaking down and being passed out of your body
  • Increased risk of contracting a urinary tract infection (due to catheter)
  • Small risk of decreased/absent ejaculatory fluid which could affect your fertility
  • A very small risk of erectile dysfunction issues
  • Group 2742

    Over 90% of men will experience minimal to no side effects

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Success rates

Unmatched, targeted precision with reassuring success rates

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Cancer control

  • 97% were cured using NanoKnife alone
  • Only 15% recurrence in 5 years 
  • Only 3% of men needed further treatment after NanoKnife
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Cancer control

  • 97% were cured using NanoKnife alone
  • Only 15% recurrence in 5 years 
  • Only 3% of men needed further treatment after NanoKnife
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Sexual potency*

  • 76% of men reported no change in sexual function after NanoKnife
  • 20% of men needed ongoing OTC medication to support sexual function
  • 5% of men needed some ongoing additional NanoKnife

*For men with erectile function pre-treatment

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Sexual potency*

  • 95% of men reported no change in sexual function after NanoKnife
  • 20% of men needed ongoing OTC medication to support sexual function
  • 5% of men needed some ongoing additional NanoKnife

*For men with erectile function pre-treatment

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Urinary continence

  • 98% of men had no problems with urinary continence after NanoKnife
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Urinary continence

  • 98% of men had no problems with urinary continence after NanoKnife

Key statistics

Group 2736

needed no further treatment after NanoKnife treatment

Group 3220

had normal sexual function after NanoKnife

Group 2732

had no problems with urinary continence after NanoKnife

Source:  Focal irreversible electroporation for prostate cancer: functional outcomes and short-term oncological control
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Disease (2016) 19, 46–52
Ting F, Tran M, Bohm M, Siriwardana A, Van Leeuwen P, Haynes A, Delprado W, Shnier R, and Stricker P

Procedure & recovery

Before your treatment, you will attend a consultation with our expert urologists, who will determine if NanoKnife is the best focal therapy to both treat your prostate cancer and preserve your post-procedure quality of life. 

They will: 

  • Ask questions about your medical history, diagnosis and expectations for treatment
  • Review your test results from your diagnosis such as your MRI and biopsy. Occasionally they will refer you for additional tests such as a PSMA, PET-CT to confirm that your prostate cancer is still confined within your prostate gland.
  • Explain to you how you can physically and mentally prepare for your procedure

You may be advised to stop taking certain medications, and you’ll be told when you should stop eating/drinking before your general anaesthetic. Your consultant will be able to tell you more.

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AdobeStock_250225925 (1)

FAQs

Got a question?

A prostate cancer diagnosis can cause you to feel fearful, overwhelmed and confused about which treatment is best for you. We understand and are here to help you make an informed decision about your care that you can feel confident about. 

If you’ve still got questions about NanoKnife or HIFU focal therapy treatments don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team.

Milton Park Innovation Centre, 99 Park Drive Milton, Abingdon, OX14 4RY, United Kingdom

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