Focal Therapy for prostate cancer

If identified early by using a good quality MRI scan of the prostate many prostate cancers can be treated with 'focal therapy'. In other words the whole gland does not need to be treated in such cases which are appropriate with the avoidance of radiotherapy or surgical removal. These two types of treatment have a larger side-effect profile in terms of continents and sexual function. Focal therapy involves either targeted heating of the appropriate areas of the prostate or alternatively freezing then. The procedure has a lower side-effect profile from other treatments of the prostate and his done as a day case. A catheter is left for only a few days post procedure.