Does anyone have any first hand experience with Nanoknife procedure?

Posted by buzzliteyear @buzzliteyear, Jul 2, 2025

I’m consider Nanoknife or cyberknife for two lesions both 3+4. From what I’ve read Nanoknife is a very successful treatment with few side effects. I’m located in the Atlanta area but willing to travel. I would greatly appreciate any experience.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Profile picture for cole5055 @cole5055

Hello All,After fighting with the VA for three years ( 100% Disabled Desert Storm 20yrs 🇺🇸 ) I finally made it to Mayo Phoenix 😊 What a difference dealing with true professionals!After completing my Trans-Perineal Targeted MRI Fusion biopsy 3+4 all contained in the prostrate 🙏 my Doctor recommended Nano Knife, it had just became available in 2024 and is still considered experimental. It seems to have the least side effects and I do not need ADT what a relief. My nurse informed me that they have treated over 300 patients with very good results!My question? If you have had the Nano knife treatment please chime in and share your experience 🙏 it would be most appreciated 😊Most RespectfullyRay & Lucy 🇺🇸

Jump to this post

I had nano knife done on dec 8, 2025, (also called IRE) they zapped the cancer out with dc electricity, it was same day, I was home in 4 hours, also I had a psma cat done on December 31st, 2025. I am currently on active surveillance, which means blood tests done every 3 months, I get the PSA total test done, its more accurate, it comes in 3 parts. So far, I have not experienced any long-term side effects. The psma test is done with a injection of radioactive solution, i have to wait 50 minutes to become less contagious in a room alone and then have my cat scan, its painless. My results indicated there may be some cancer but also there is some inflammation that may be mistaken for cancer, time will tell. Hope to hear from you soon

REPLY
Profile picture for audrey27 @audrey27

Any ideas on how to get BCBS to pay for IRE. We have had multiple appeals without success

Jump to this post

@audrey27 i don't understand why they will not cover it, it's much cheaper payout the radiation, and other procedures, Medicare pays for it, at 80%, you may have to set up a payment plan with the hospital since the insurance doesn't cover it.

REPLY
Profile picture for cole5055 @cole5055

Hello All,After fighting with the VA for three years ( 100% Disabled Desert Storm 20yrs 🇺🇸 ) I finally made it to Mayo Phoenix 😊 What a difference dealing with true professionals!After completing my Trans-Perineal Targeted MRI Fusion biopsy 3+4 all contained in the prostrate 🙏 my Doctor recommended Nano Knife, it had just became available in 2024 and is still considered experimental. It seems to have the least side effects and I do not need ADT what a relief. My nurse informed me that they have treated over 300 patients with very good results!My question? If you have had the Nano knife treatment please chime in and share your experience 🙏 it would be most appreciated 😊Most RespectfullyRay & Lucy 🇺🇸

Jump to this post

Urology Times reports that IRE procedures such as Nanoknife, as of January 2026, have been assigned a Category I CPT code for ablation of prostate and liver lesions. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/category-i-cpt-code-granted-to-irreversible-electroporation-for-prostate-lesions

Georgia Urology apparently confirms that this means payers such as Medicare will now cover the procedure. "NanoKnife will not be fully covered until January 2026" https://www.gaurology.com/comparing-hifu-to-nanoknife/

Georgia Urology noted that they have had some success getting insurance to pay in the past, "but this is not the norm".

REPLY
Profile picture for Jeff Marchi @jeffmarc

@cole5055
The problem is, if you’ve already picked an advantage plan then getting A supplemental may not be possible if you’ve had it over a year.

Here are the details?

Trial Period Rights: If you are within your first 12 months of joining a Medicare Advantage plan, or if you left a Medigap plan to join MA for the first time, you have special "trial period" rights, making it easy to switch back.
Guaranteed Issue: If your MA plan terminates coverage or you move outside its service area, you get a 63-day "guaranteed issue" window to purchase specific Medigap policies (A, B, C, F, K, or L) without medical questions.
Underwriting Risk: Outside of guaranteed issue periods, companies can refuse to sell you a Medigap policy due to pre-existing conditions. This is common if you are switching simply because you don't like your current MA plan.
Best Time to Switch: The best time to change is during a "guaranteed issue" period, often within 63 days of losing or changing coverage

Jump to this post

@jeffmarc I am with you 🙂 I read everything I could before I turned 65…….. Supplement plans are the only way to go. Advantage plans seem better? But in the long run if you’re dealing with cancer it changes the whole dynamic…….. Agents are trained to sell you Advantage plans! They make way more money unfortunately not in the consumers best interest…….

I was very fortunate to be eligible for ( same coverage as a supplemental plan ) Tri-care for life as a 20 Air Force Veteran. They tried to sell me an Advantage plan & and actually sold me a plan “E” supplement plan. Only to find out later I did not need it because of my Military service in the Air Force. Luckily I found out in time and cancelled my plan “E” in time! Wish you well and hope you can correct this 🙏

Ray & Lucy

REPLY
Profile picture for cole5055 @cole5055

Hello All,After fighting with the VA for three years ( 100% Disabled Desert Storm 20yrs 🇺🇸 ) I finally made it to Mayo Phoenix 😊 What a difference dealing with true professionals!After completing my Trans-Perineal Targeted MRI Fusion biopsy 3+4 all contained in the prostrate 🙏 my Doctor recommended Nano Knife, it had just became available in 2024 and is still considered experimental. It seems to have the least side effects and I do not need ADT what a relief. My nurse informed me that they have treated over 300 patients with very good results!My question? If you have had the Nano knife treatment please chime in and share your experience 🙏 it would be most appreciated 😊Most RespectfullyRay & Lucy 🇺🇸

Jump to this post

Hi Brian,

I spoke with my Doctor, they use a 5mm margin around the tumor. Followed by monthly PSA tests & MRI every 6 months for the first year to include a biopsy if needed. Then active surveillance he says he has preformed over 300 Nano Knife procedures with 80-90 success rates after the first year. 3+4 almost qualifies for active surveillance …….. I might be kicking the can down the road, but this seems to be a very logical first step. I would very much like to keep my OEM equipment ( my prostrate ) and I can always use the many other more powerful procedures………later If needed 😊 I feel good knowing I am in good hands at Mayo Clinic 😊

Ray & Lucy

REPLY
Profile picture for cole5055 @cole5055

Hello All,After fighting with the VA for three years ( 100% Disabled Desert Storm 20yrs 🇺🇸 ) I finally made it to Mayo Phoenix 😊 What a difference dealing with true professionals!After completing my Trans-Perineal Targeted MRI Fusion biopsy 3+4 all contained in the prostrate 🙏 my Doctor recommended Nano Knife, it had just became available in 2024 and is still considered experimental. It seems to have the least side effects and I do not need ADT what a relief. My nurse informed me that they have treated over 300 patients with very good results!My question? If you have had the Nano knife treatment please chime in and share your experience 🙏 it would be most appreciated 😊Most RespectfullyRay & Lucy 🇺🇸

Jump to this post

Dude, you want to go down the middle lane of the most trodden path of the most curative treatment possible..
You don’t play paddy cakes with cancer!
You kill cancer!!!!!

REPLY
Profile picture for cole5055 @cole5055

Hello All,After fighting with the VA for three years ( 100% Disabled Desert Storm 20yrs 🇺🇸 ) I finally made it to Mayo Phoenix 😊 What a difference dealing with true professionals!After completing my Trans-Perineal Targeted MRI Fusion biopsy 3+4 all contained in the prostrate 🙏 my Doctor recommended Nano Knife, it had just became available in 2024 and is still considered experimental. It seems to have the least side effects and I do not need ADT what a relief. My nurse informed me that they have treated over 300 patients with very good results!My question? If you have had the Nano knife treatment please chime in and share your experience 🙏 it would be most appreciated 😊Most RespectfullyRay & Lucy 🇺🇸

Jump to this post

Prancing around on side treatments..

Go here and compare your probability of cure vs the major treatment pathways
https://www.prostatecancerfree.org/compare-prostate-cancer-treatments/
Don’t use cellphone use a computer.

There are 3 graphs, one each for low, intermediate, and high risk. Sounds like you might be high? (Risk of recurrence after treatment).

The elipses can be confusing. I put a dot on each eclipse and drew a line to make it easier to intemperate. If you need help readin the charts get it.

You will notice that chance of cure starts well for RP but drops as risk increases. At high risk you are down to 40-50% chance of cure.
Compare that to radiation options.

Get Dr Scholz book where you can stage yourself.
You need to learn to survive.
This zone is flooded with bad information. You will hear different stats from every damn doctor. Im sorry but the cancer is not the most dangerous thing here. Getting steered wrong is just as deadly.
Read read read

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.