The latest findings from a long-term NHS study are set to revolutionise the treatment of prostate cancer in the UK, with focal therapy offering a less invasive alternative that significantly reduces debilitating side effects. The research, led by Imperial College London, followed nearly 3,500 men over a decade and provides crucial evidence to inform medical regulators.
Focal therapy uses high-intensity ultrasound or freezing cryotherapy to precisely target and destroy cancerous tissue within the prostate gland. According to the study's findings, this targeted approach delivers comparable long-term cancer control to more traditional treatments like surgery or radiotherapy. What's more, men who underwent focal therapy experienced less than half the risk of common side effects such as urine leakage or loss of sexual function, which can have a profound impact on quality of life.
Professor Hashim Ahmed, a consultant urologist at Imperial College London and joint senior author of the study, hailed the results as 'excellent'. He highlighted that, despite having intermediate or high-risk prostate cancer, only two men in nearly 3,500 died from the disease within 10 years. Professor Ahmed believes this compelling evidence should prompt more healthcare centres to offer focal therapy nationwide, addressing concerns about long-term survival and recurrence.
Despite being introduced over two decades ago, focal therapy remains underutilised in the UK. Only around 1,000 men receive it annually, despite an estimated 15,000 who could potentially benefit from the treatment. Access is often described as a 'postcode lottery', with routine NHS access limited to just 10 centres in England and none elsewhere in the UK.
The lack of long-term evidence has been a key reason why NICE has not yet approved focal therapy as a routine treatment, leaving hospitals without an obligation to offer it. However, this new study directly addresses that evidence gap. Prostate Cancer UK is urging NICE to review the evidence, stating that focal therapy 'could help thousands of men each year avoid unnecessary side-effects'. In a positive development, the government has committed up to £2.8 million to expand focal therapy provision in England, with plans to establish several new centres.