Nanoknife on the PA-RT Trial - Focal Therapy

Friday 4th October 2024 - a date I'm sure I will never forget.

My profile gives the background to my case, but tomorrow, 4th October 2024 I will be having Nanoknife surgery to my prostate as a patient on the PA-RT trial.

This is my preferred choice of treatment taking in to account all tests, results, age, PSA and what I was looking to achieve, in order to give me the best quality of life.

Nanoknife, also known as irreversible electroporation (IRE), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses needles to deliver electrical energy to target and destroy cancerous prostate tissue with precision, sparing nearby healthy structures. State of the art MRI software is used to precisely target cancerous tissues with NanoKnife. This treatment lowers the risk of losing erectile function or bladder control, whilst precisely destroying the tumour.

I will update this conversation with my progress in the next few days and I am happy to answer any questions, to the best of my knowledge.

Best,

Seb

Edited by member 09 Oct 2024 at 18:58  | Reason: Not specified

Yes, please tell us how it went.
Best of luck

Hi All,

I had (partial ablation) Nanoknife, (IRE) on Friday mid afternoon as a day case, (as a participant on the PA-RT Trial). I was kept overnight because my BP was up and they needed to get it under control. The procedure apparently went very well. I was on pain relief for a couple of days and now almost nothing.

The hardest bit, (as anyone knows who has experienced a catheter), is exactly that. Tomorrow can't come soon enough for it to be removed. 5 days, the longest of my life! Unfortunately, I seem to have a very sensitive bladder and initially I was having intense regular spasms. This is now under control due to 2 different medications, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Having a shower has become a military operation, connecting / disconnecting tubes, emptying bags etc. My TWOC (trial without catheter is tomorrow morning!) In the afternoon, I will be having my week 1 MRI. I've had a few teary days, but that's a combination of the anaesthetic leaving your body, mixed with a rollercoaster of emotions.

However, today is a good day! I took a picture to see what had gone on below deck. Very heavy bruising, scrotum almost black and that runs into my perineum and bottom. It looks worse than it is. I'm not in pain but it's uncomfortable to sit bolt upright, so I'm at a recline on the sofa, in between walking around regularly. Just waiting for a donut cushion to arrive to ease pressure when sitting on a chair, which I currently cannot do.

6 weeks post surgery, I will have a PSA and discuss all results of surgery, MRI and tests with my consultant.

After that, a PSA test will be done every 3 months for the first year and annually thereafter for 5 years minimum.

1 year post surgery, MRI scan further prostate biopsies and up to 3 years after that.

Barry, in answer to your question, there are clear plans in place, should the first treatment not be successful. I would have further Nanoknife (IRE) treatment if appropriate or it could be surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy or chemotherapy - depending on test results. Radical prostatectomy after partial ablation, (Nanoknife IRE / HIFU) or radiotherapy can be more difficult and could have worse outcomes than having radical prostatectomy as a first option.

If I can answer any further questions, I will do so to the best of my ability.

Best,

Seb