The NanoKnife System: Revolutionizing Prostate Cancer Care

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men, with 1 in 8 men receiving a diagnosis. But rest assured, it’s highly treatable, especially when caught early. At AdventHealth, we’re committed to using leading-edge technology, such as the NanoKnife System, to treat men with prostate cancer so they can get back to the life they love sooner.

We sat down with one of our board-certified urologists, Thomas G. Cangiano, MD, to discuss this revolutionary procedure and how it can help men reclaim their urological health. Keep reading to learn more about the NanoKnife System, including how it works, its benefits, candidacy, effectiveness and recovery time.

What to Know About NanoKnife

The NanoKnife System is the only function-preserving procedure that uses electricity to eliminate cancer cells. “This system is designed to precisely treat small prostate cancer tumors, removing the need for radical prostate surgery or major radiation,” said Dr. Cangiano. “It’s a focal and precise treatment in which probes are placed around a specific prostate cancer lesion and small electrical pulses are sent through the probes to destroy certain DNA inside the cells. The cell architecture remains intact, but the DNA inside is eliminated, resulting in fewer side effects and scar tissue.”

How NanoKnife Works

Once general anesthesia is administered, your physician inserts an ultrasound-guided probe into your rectum and toward your prostate to identify cancerous cells. Once identified, your surgeon guides multiple needles around the tumor. Then, electrical pulses are delivered between the needles to destroy the cancer while preserving the surrounding tissue. “This is currently one of the most precise ways to treat focal prostate cancers,” said Dr. Cangiano.

NanoKnife Benefits and Candidacy

“One of the main benefits of the NanoKnife System is that there are fewer side effects associated with the procedure,” shared Dr. Cangiano. Traditional methods for treating prostate cancer can cause collateral damage to surrounding tissues and may lead to urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Because the NanoKnife procedure is minimally invasive, damage to surrounding tissues is greatly reduced. Other benefits of the NanoKnife System include:

• A fast and efficient procedure, lasting about an hour
• Allowing for other treatment options if needed
• An outpatient procedure that allows patients to return home the same day
• Higher precision compared to other techniques
• Repeat procedures if needed

“Good candidates for the NanoKnife procedure are patients with low- or intermediate-grade prostate cancer confined to a single area of the prostate and with at least a 10-year life expectancy,” said Dr. Cangiano. He also noted that the NanoKnife System is included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for treating prostate cancer recurrence after radiation therapy. Patients who wouldn’t be considered for the NanoKnife procedure include those with higher-stage, multifocal prostate cancer.

Procedure Effectiveness and Recovery Time

Official reports from NanoKnife indicate that it was used in more than 11,000 prostate procedures over the past two decades. Reports also show that 93% of men maintained their erectile function and 99% their urinary control 12 months after treatment. “If done correctly, the NanoKnife procedure is highly effective in eliminating small focal prostate cancers, with a recurrence rate similar to that of surgery or radiation,” stated Dr. Cangiano.

He went on to say that most men report little to no pain after this procedure because there’s virtually no cutting. However, patients will need to wear a catheter for several days following their procedure because the prostate will swell, making it temporarily difficult to empty your bladder. “Most people can return to work and their everyday lives after about a week,” shared Dr. Cangiano.

Helping Men Stay Ahead of Prostate Cancer

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are seeking an alternative to traditional procedures, the NanoKnife System may be right for you. Book an appointment with Dr. Cangiano to learn more about this treatment option and to determine whether you’re a good candidate.

Remember, you never have to face your cancer diagnosis alone. Learn more about our prostate cancer care services and how we’re helping men reclaim their urological health.