Pictured: Dr. Andrew Tam with medical staff and the NanoKnife system used to deliver focal therapy for localized prostate cancer at Sutter East Bay Medical Group.

By Pooja Nerkar, Vitals contributor

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.

At 56, Hall was diagnosed with intermediate-risk prostate cancer after a routine physical found an elevated prostate-specific antigen level, leading to further testing. Having witnessed family members undergo prostate cancer treatment, he worried about ho

Dr. Pratik Patel, Sutter East Bay Medical Group

w potential side effects might affect his quality of life.

His physicians at Sutter East Bay Medical Group heard those concerns. Hall’s family medicine physician, Dr. Pratik Patel, connected him with Dr. Andrew Tam, a urologist and urologic oncologist who could help him explore treatment options that considered both his cancer and what mattered most to him.

“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 says.

After a careful evaluation, Hall learned he was a candidate for NanoKnife, an innovative, minimally invasive technology available at Sutter East Bay Medical Group that targets a specific area of the prostate while aiming to preserve surrounding healthy tissue.

For Hall, access to this specialized treatment offered another possibility beyond traditional surgery or radiation, supported by a care team that understood his priorities.

“I appreciated Dr. Tam’s candor. He explained the different options and gave me information to read so I could make an informed decision,” Hall says.

Innovative Technology, Individualized Care

“Traditionally, the paradigm for treatment of prostate cancer was two options, surgery or radiation,” Dr. Tam says. “Where focal therapy comes in is that it offers a third option.”

Dr. Andrew Tam, urologist and urologic oncologist at Sutter East Bay Medical Group

NanoKnife uses a technique called irreversible electroporation. Thin electrodes deliver short electrical pulses to the targeted area, disrupting cell membranes and triggering a process of programmed cell death known as apoptosis. Unlike some other focal therapies, the technique does not rely on heat or cold to destroy tissue.

But access to advanced technology is only part of the equation. Determining whether it’s the right approach requires understanding the patient as well as the disease.

Dr. Tam considers tumor location and characteristics, imaging and biopsy results, overall health and each patient’s personal priorities when evaluating candidates.

For Hall, testing showed that his cancer appeared confined to a single lesion in a location suitable for targeted treatment, away from major nerve bundles.

After discussing surgery, radiation and focal therapy, Hall chose NanoKnife because its targeted approach aligned with his desire to treat the cancer while potentially preserving sexual function.

Looking Ahead After Treatment

Hall had the procedure in May and went home the same day with a catheter, which remained in place for about a week. 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 says. “Now I feel better than I did before, and my sexual function has improved.”

At his follow-up last month, Hall’s prostate-specific antigen level decreased by 65%, according to Dr. Tam. Hall continues to receive monitoring and biopsies as recommended by his care team.

Expanding Options for Prostate Cancer Care

Focal therapy is an emerging approach and is not yet considered standard treatment for prostate cancer. Surgery and radiation have decades of long-term data, and more research is needed to understand how focal therapy compares over time.

Because NanoKnife treats only a targeted area, continued monitoring is essential. 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 says. “Prostate cancer is very treatable, and we have a lot of different options available that can fit their needs.”

For Hall, having a primary care physician and specialist who listened to his concerns, evaluated his options and offered access to specialized technology made a difficult decision feel more manageable.

“Get checked early and often,” Hall says. “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.”

Note: This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.