Focal Prostate Ablation IRE with NanoKnife

Jupiter Medical Center is the only hospital in the region offering "Focal Prostate Ablation IRE", a minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer where a technique called "Irreversible Electroporation (IRE)" is used to precisely target and destroy cancerous tissue within the prostate gland, while preserving surrounding healthy tissue, minimizing potential side effects like incontinence and erectile dysfunction. NanoKnife, also known as irreversible electroporation (IRE), is a minimally invasive, focal therapy used to treat prostate cancer by precisely targeting and destroying cancer cells with electrical pulses. This technique offers an alternative to traditional prostatectomy or radiation therapy.

How it works:

Focal Prostate Ablation focuses treatment on the cancerous area of the prostate, leaving the surrounding tissue intact. The procedure involves inserting small needles through the skin, guided by ultrasound or MRI, to deliver electrical pulses to the tumor.

These electrical pulses create tiny holes in the cell membranes of cancer cells, disrupting their function and causing them to die. The body then naturally removes the damaged cells.

Benefits:

Focal Prostate Ablation can preserve sexual function and urinary control more effectively than traditional treatments. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes about an hour, with a relatively quick recovery time.

It can be used for both localized and advanced prostate cancers, including those that have recurred after radiation therapy. The procedure does not interfere with other treatment options like radiation or surgery.

Considerations:

Focal Prostate Ablation is not suitable for all prostate cancer patients, particularly those with advanced or aggressive cancers. But, for many patients this offers a promising, less invasive option for prostate cancer treatment, especially for men concerned about preserving their quality of life and future treatment options.

For more information, or to make an appointment, please call The Barb & Joe Charles Center for Urology at 561-263-3312.