Bill Hall undergoes NanoKnife therapy for prostate cancer

When Bill Hall learned he had prostate cancer, he wasn’t just thinking about beating the disease. He was thinking about the life he wanted to preserve, vitals.sutterhealth.org reported.

Bill Hall’s Diagnosis at Sutter East Bay Medical Group

At 56 years old, Hall received his intermediate-risk prostate cancer diagnosis following a routine physical that revealed an elevated prostate-specific antigen level, leading to further testing. Having witnessed family members undergo prostate cancer treatment, he worried about how potential side effects might affect his quality of life. His family medicine physician at Sutter East Bay Medical Group, Dr. Pratik Patel, connected him with Dr. Andrew Tam, a urologist and urologic oncologist, to explore treatment options addressing both the cancer and his personal priorities. Given Bill’s family history of prostate cancer, having seen what treatment and side effects can look like, it was important to get him to Dr. Tam to discuss the most advanced treatment options, Dr. Patel said.

Evaluating NanoKnife Focal Therapy Options

After a thorough assessment, Hall found out he qualified for NanoKnife—a cutting-edge, minimally invasive Sutter East Bay Medical Group technology designed to focus on a specific prostate zone while working to protect surrounding healthy tissue. Traditionally, the paradigm for treatment of prostate cancer was two options, surgery or radiation, Dr. Tam said. Where focal therapy comes in is that it offers a third option. NanoKnife uses a technique called irreversible electroporation, where thin electrodes deliver short electrical pulses to the targeted area, disrupting cell membranes and triggering programmed cell death known as apoptosis, without relying on heat or cold.

Dr. Tam Evaluates Patient Health and Tumor Location

Determining whether focal therapy is the appropriate approach requires understanding the patient as well as the disease. Dr. Tam evaluates tumor location and characteristics, imaging and biopsy results, overall health, and each patient’s personal priorities. Based on his diagnostic tests, Hall’s cancer appeared limited to a single lesion situated safely away from major nerve bundles, making it a good fit for targeted care. Weighing surgery, radiation, and focal therapy, Hall selected NanoKnife because its precision matched his goal of treating the disease while safeguarding his sexual health. Dr. Tam reviewed the various choices with him and provided reading materials so he could make an educated decision.

Hall Recovers with Improved Sexual Function

Hall underwent the operation in May, returning home that very day with a catheter that stayed in position for roughly seven days. During recovery, he experienced tenderness, blood in his urine, and an increased urge to urinate. Those symptoms eventually resolved, and Hall reports no lasting side effects. The recovery took a little time, but I got through it, Hall said. Now I feel better than I did before, and my sexual function has improved. According to Dr. Tam, a checkup last month revealed that Hall’s prostate-specific antigen reading had dropped by 65%. Hall continues to receive monitoring and biopsies as recommended by his care team.

Future Outlook for Focal Therapy and Patient Care

Focal therapy is an emerging approach and is not yet considered standard treatment for prostate cancer. Because surgery and radiation are backed by decades of comprehensive data, scientists require additional studies to fully evaluate how focal therapy stacks up over the long haul. Because NanoKnife treats only a targeted area, continued monitoring remains essential, and if cancer persists or returns, additional treatment, including surgery or radiation, may still be possible. I think it will become a standardized treatment option for select patients, but more long-term data is needed to compare focal therapy with surgery and radiation, Dr. Tam said. Prostate cancer is very treatable, and we have a lot of different options available that can fit their needs. Hall encourages others to take an active role in their health. Get checked early and often, Hall said. Ask questions and find out what options are available to you. NanoKnife may be worth exploring if it’s available and you’re a candidate.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and scientific communication purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment plan.