Focal Therapies

Noninvasive therapies, including cryotherapy, for men with localized prostate cancer.

Certain patients with lower-risk prostate cancer confined to a specific area of the prostate may benefit from a focal therapy. Focal therapy is a general term for a group of noninvasive techniques, including cryotherapy, that destroy small tumors inside the prostate while leaving the remaining gland intact and sparing most of its normal tissue with minimal side effects.

Types of focal therapies

We offer several types of focal therapies for small, localized prostate cancer that has not spread to other areas of the body, including:

• Cryotherapy: This treatment involves freezing cancerous and abnormal tissue in the prostate gland. Using ultrasound for guidance, needles are inserted into the prostate. Then the needles deliver a freezing gas to destroy the prostate tissue.
• Precision prostatectomy: This is localized, organ-preserving robotic surgery technique was developed by Henry Ford. It has been shown to improve return of sexual function and bladder control after surgery.
• High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU): This uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to burn the tumor while keeping the rest of the prostate tissue intact.

What are the benefits of focal therapy?

For men with early-stage prostate cancer that has not spread to other areas of the body, focal therapies may offer several benefits, such as:

• Lower risk for side effects like urinary incontinence, impotence and decreased bowel function
• No hospital stay; focal therapies are outpatient procedures
• Treatment can be repeated in the future
• Focal therapies make it possible to have radiation therapy or surgery later, if necessary
• Faster recovery with most patients able to return to work the next day