Focal Therapy · Prostate Cancer
NanoKnife™ IRE
Precision Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Destroy cancer. Preserve function. Repeat if needed.
NanoKnife™ IRE (Irreversible Electroporation) is one of the most advanced focal therapies available for localized prostate cancer. Available at Mississauga Urology Associates.
Treatment Options
How NanoKnife™ compares
Focal therapy targets only the region of the prostate containing cancer, rather than treating or removing the entire gland. Compared to radical prostatectomy, radiation, or active surveillance, NanoKnife™ IRE offers a distinct balance of oncologic control and functional preservation.
| NanoKnife™ | Radical Surgery | Radiation | Active Surveillance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia Required | General | General | None (external) / Sedation | None |
| Hospital Stay | Same day | 1–3 days | Multiple visits over weeks | None |
| Recovery Time | Days | 4–6 weeks | Weeks–months | None |
| Sexual Function Preservation | ||||
| Urinary Function Preservation | ||||
| Can Be Repeated | N/A | |||
| Preserves Surrounding Tissue |
Technology
How irreversible electroporation works
NanoKnife™ delivers short pulses of non-thermal electrical energy between precisely placed needle electrodes. These pulses create permanent nano-scale pores in the membranes of cancer cells, triggering cell death, while leaving the extracellular matrix, nerves, blood vessels, and adjacent structures largely intact.
Because IRE is non-thermal, it avoids the heat-based damage seen with cryotherapy and HIFU, preserving critical structures around the prostate.
Precision targeting
Needle placement guided by MRI/ultrasound imaging.
Nerve sparing
Non-thermal energy preserves neurovascular bundles.
Tissue selectivity
Cell membranes disrupted; scaffolding preserved.
Repeatable
Can be performed again if new lesions arise.
Illustrative diagram: needle placement and energy field
Process
What is involved?
Initial Consultation & Eligibility Assessment
Review of your imaging, biopsy, and PSA history to determine if focal therapy is appropriate for your cancer.
Pre-procedure Imaging (MRI/Ultrasound)
High-resolution MRI (often fused with ultrasound) maps the exact location of the cancer within the prostate.
Procedure Day
Performed under general anesthesia. Needle electrodes are placed through the perineum under image guidance. Energy delivery takes 30–60 minutes. Total operating room time is typically 1.5–2 hours.
Recovery
Most patients go home the same day with a urinary catheter for a few days. Return to light activity within a week; strenuous activity avoided for approximately 2 weeks.
Follow-up & Monitoring
Regular PSA testing and MRI imaging track treatment response. Additional biopsies may be performed at defined intervals.
Eligibility
Is NanoKnife™ right for me?
Ideal candidates
- Localized prostate cancer (organ-confined)
- Desire to preserve sexual and urinary function
- Candidates for focal (not whole-gland) treatment
- Well-defined lesion(s) identifiable on MRI
May not be suitable
- Very large prostate glands
- Certain high-risk or metastatic cancers
- Diffuse, multi-focal disease throughout the gland
Suitability is determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with your urologist.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Get in Touch
Interested in NanoKnife™?
Contact Mississauga Urology Associates to discuss whether NanoKnife™ IRE may be right for you. Send us a message using the form below and our office will get back to you.
Clinic Location
101 Queensway W, Suite 400, Mississauga, ON L5B 2V2
Paid parking garage within the building
- Response time
- Our office typically replies within one business day.
- Private treatment
- NanoKnife™ IRE is not covered by OHIP. Fees are confirmed before treatment.
- OHIP referrals
- Ask your family physician to fax a referral to the clinic.