Precise target
The treatment plan follows the location and extent shown by imaging and biopsy.
Targeted treatment for selected localised disease
Focal Ablation
Focal ablation treats a precisely mapped cancer area and a safety margin while aiming to preserve as much healthy prostate tissue as possible.
Clear information for an informed decision
Important context
Treat the relevant lesion, not automatically the whole gland
Focal therapy is a treatment strategy rather than one single device. Energy is directed to a defined part of the prostate where clinically significant cancer has been confirmed.
High-intensity focused ultrasound and cryotherapy are the best-known techniques. Irreversible electroporation and targeted microwave ablation are also being studied or used in specialist programmes. Accurate MRI and biopsy mapping are essential before any focal procedure.
Tissue preservation
Untreated prostate and nearby structures are spared where safely possible.
Mandatory follow-up
PSA, MRI and often repeat biopsy remain necessary after treatment.
Who may be suitable?
Suitability cannot be decided from a single PSA value or one line in an MRI report. A urologist needs the complete clinical picture.
Who may be suitable?
- ✓MRI findings and targeted plus systematic biopsy provide a consistent map.
- ✓The patient accepts structured long-term surveillance and possible further treatment.
- ✓Cancer appears confined to the prostate.
- ✓The clinically significant lesion can be clearly localised.
Not every patient needs the same treatment
- !Urinary and erectile side effects can still occur.
- !Long-term oncological evidence is less mature than for surgery or radiotherapy.
- !Focal therapy is not suitable for metastatic disease.
- !Multifocal or poorly mapped cancer may require a different strategy.
A precise pathway before treatment
Good prostate cancer care connects imaging, pathology and clinical risk. Treatment is chosen only after these pieces agree.
- 1
Initial assessment
Medical history, PSA, examination and previous reports are reviewed together.
- 2
High-quality imaging
Multiparametric MRI helps locate suspicious areas and assess local extent.
- 3
Tissue confirmation
Targeted and systematic biopsy provide the diagnosis and grade of the tumour.
- 4
Treatment decision
Options are compared according to stage, risk, health, priorities and expected side effects.
- 5
Structured follow-up
PSA, imaging and—when indicated—repeat biopsy check how the chosen strategy is working.
What patients usually want to understand
- Which alternative options remain available now and later.
- What follow-up is required and what would trigger additional treatment.
- What the treatment is expected to achieve in this exact risk group.
- How urinary continence, sexual function and recovery may be affected.
Questions worth asking before deciding
- Which areas were sampled at biopsy and do they match the MRI findings?
- What are the realistic short- and long-term side effects in this case?
- How experienced is the centre with the proposed diagnostic or treatment pathway?
- Is the cancer confined to the prostate, and how certain is the staging?
Follow-up is part of treatment
A procedure is only one moment in the care pathway. Regular PSA testing, clinical review and appropriate imaging are needed to identify response, recurrence or a new relevant lesion early.
Frequently asked questions
01Can focal therapy cure prostate cancer?
It is used with curative intent in selected localised cases, but no procedure guarantees cure and careful follow-up is essential.
02Will I need a catheter?
A temporary urinary catheter is commonly used. Duration depends on the technique and treatment extent.
03Does it protect erections and continence?
Treating less tissue may reduce functional side effects compared with whole-gland treatment, but risk is not zero.
04Can treatment be repeated?
Repeat focal treatment or salvage surgery/radiotherapy may be possible in selected cases.
05How is success checked?
With scheduled PSA tests, clinical review, MRI and—depending on the protocol—repeat biopsy.
06Is focal ablation the same as HIFU?
No. Focal ablation is the targeted treatment strategy; HIFU is one technology that can deliver it.
Bring your results. Leave with a clearer plan.
Uropoint provides specialist urological assessment. Bring PSA results, MRI images and report, biopsy histology and previous medical records to make the consultation as useful as possible.