Treating prostate cancer with focal therapy

Adiagnosis of prostate cancer can be frightening and overwhelming. There are many treatment options and whilst this might feel bewildering, the wide range of options represents a chance to choose the right one, along with your medical team, to successfully treat or manage your cancer.

Prostate Cancer In The Uk

More than 130 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day in the UK. There has been a sharp increase in incidence since the 1990s and it is now the number one form of cancer affecting men in the UK. Diagnosis with any cancer can be frightening, but for many men, being told they have prostate cancer can also spark additional worries about their continence and sexual health.

The good news is that as well as being one of the most common forms of cancer, prostate cancer is also one of the most treatable. Survival rates have trebled over the last 40 years and new and minimally invasive treatments, such as focal therapies are helping men treat their cancer with reduced chance of side effects.

Focal Therapy Is A Minimallyinvasive Treatment Option

Focal therapy is a treatment option suitable for men who have medium (intermediate) risk prostate cancer, ideally in one part of the prostate. As it treats only the cancer, and a small area around the cancer, the side effects of treatment are much less than those for traditional prostate cancer surgery or radiotherapy. It requires a careful assessment of the prostate using MRI and biopsy information. For men who are suitable, it is done as a day surgery procedure. Follow up is similar to being on active surveillance, and includes MRI scans and sometimes biopsy.

It allows some men to continue to have good sexual and urinary function, while treating the cancer. For example with following the HIFU procedure (High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound), less than 1 in 100 men reported urine leakage and 2 in 3 men had no problems with sexual function, while the remaining third were able to with tablets. As it’s a small treatment, it can be repeated, and if necessary, surgery or radiotherapy can be used at a later date.

There are a number of different energies used in focal therapy for prostate cancer, including ultrasound (High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound, or HIFU) and electroporation (passing an electrical current across the tumour to kill it). King Edward VII’s Hospital is one of the few private hospitals in the UK to offer these treatments.

KING EDWARD VII’S HOSPITAL FOCAL THERAPY CENTRE

The King Edward VII’s Hospital Focal Therapy Centre is led by world-leading experts, supported by nurse specialists and a multi-disciplinary team meaning they’re able to offer personalised treatment plans tailored to your needs and recovery. Using the very latest technology including HIFU and the da Vinci xi surgical robot and located in a convenient central London location, you can access fast treatment for your condition.

Whether you’re experiencing symptoms, have a raised PSA level or have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the King Edward VII’s Focal Therapy Centre is here to help you. It can be an overwhelming and nerve-wrecking time and starting private prostate cancer treatment can be confusing. The team at King Edward VII’s Hospital is able to talk you through every step of the process, choose the right treatment for you and get you back to living life to the fullest.

More Information

The King Edward VII’s Hospital Focal Therapy Centre is a leader in prostate cancer treatment. It specialises in diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and offers one-to-one support from a Clinical Nurse Specialist.

For more information, contact: Mon- Fri 0203 930 1392 or visit kingedwardvii.co.uk