Prostate cancer trial using focal therapy has fewer side effects

Nearly all of the men had intermediate- or high-risk prostate cancer; but only two died of the disease 10 years after treatment.

These results are as good as surgery or radiotherapy, but the risk of side effects such as urinary incontinence or loss of sexual function is less than half.

Joint senior author Professor Hashim Ahmed, consultant urologist at Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said the findings showed “focal therapy provides excellent long-term cancer control in a wide range of patients”.

“It is challenging for more centers to offer this treatment,” he added.

Focus therapy was introduced more than 20 years ago, but currently only 1,000 men a year in the UK receive the treatment – ​​although there are 15,000 who could benefit.

The therapy is not suitable for men whose cancer is in many parts of their prostate or has spread outside the prostate.