Does anyone have first hand experience with Nanoknife procedure?

The information is very informative and I will discuss with the doctor. Appreciate your sharing this valuable information.

The discovery of my prostate cancer began when my PSA had risen from the mid twos to over four. My urologist recommended an MRI of my prostate, which resulted in finding two prostate tumors. The tumors were both contained within the prostate. Next was a biopsy. I chose an ultrasound-guided transperineal biopsy because that type of biopsy uses the MRI information as a road map to make sure the suspected areas are tested. My biopsy showed prostate cancer in the tumors.

Based on my Gleason score of 3+4=7 and a Decipher test showing low risk, I was a candidate for active surveillance. However, one of the tumors abutted the edge of the prostate, so I chose to have the tumors treated. I didn’t want to risk the tumor spreading outside the prostate. I was not excited with the possible side effects of removing the prostate or treating it with radiation, so I did research on focal treatments.

Focal treatments focus on treating prostate cancer by attempting to kill the tumor(s) without removal or radiation. These treatments are not for everyone and seem to require that the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate. There are several types of focal treatment such as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), Transurethral Ultrasound Ablation (TULSA Pro), cryotherapy, Irreversible Electroporation (IRE), and others. I chose the IRE Nanoknife treatment which uses electrical current in an attempt to kill the tumor. This treatment was done at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa by Dr. Julio Pow-Sang.

The IRE Nanoknife procedure went well for me. It took about an hour in total, I'm sure a good part of that was the preparation after I was put under. I think the actual procedure took about 30 minutes.

After the procedure, I had some spasms that were quickly relieved by medication. I had a catheter, which I was a bit concerned about. As it turned out, I had it for six days and didn't have any problems with it. I even removed it myself, which was surprisingly painless. I removed it in the shower so any urine that might have leaked out could be taken care of easily.

After removing the catheter, I had leakage and used pads in my underwear for about six weeks. For the first several weeks, there was blood in the urine, but that eventually cleared up. I still had occasional spotty leakage for a while, like when I sneezed or coughed, but that cleared up. This really hasn't been a problem. Sexual function is the same as before surgery.

Three months after the procedure my PSA came down from 4.25 to 2.5. Six months after the procedure the PSA was down to 1.53. A multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) was also done at six months and it showed “post ablation changes of the prostate with no new or recurrent tumor in the treatment area and no new suspicious lesions in the prostate." My doctor was very pleased with these results and deferred another prostate biopsy for the time being. At 18 months post-surgery, another MRI was done and the result was good. Subsequent PSA results are good with values of around 2.

I'm very pleased with the results so far. Best wishes to all seeking a treatment plan best for them. I would highly recommend that everyone consult with a Cancer Center of Excellence. That type of facility is equipped with the specialists, staff and technology which is particularly effective in treating cancer. In addition to Moffitt Cancer Center, which I highly recommend, I have been a patient of Mayo Clinic for many years and have always received the best of care. Both organizations are Cancer Centers of Excellence.

@alanrittel, I moved your question to this related discussion.
- Does anyone have any first hand experience with Nanoknife procedure?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-have-any-first-hand-experience-with-nanoknife-procedure/

See all knanokife related discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/prostate-cancer/

You may appreciate the past comments and asking any questions you might have to other members.

Does, anyone have any positive inputs for Nano Knife?l Completed Nano Knife May 19-2026 after. A long road to get treatment dealing with the VA. Just saw my primary care VA Doctor July 13-2026.As of July 13-2026 my PSA was 2.9 from 20.1 what a major difference! My first consultation after Treatment with Mayo Clinic is scheduled for August 21-2026 and still hoping that my PSA drops more …….. Looking forward to my first consultation with Mayo Clinic via Face time in August.Anyone with positive feedback please reply 😊👍🏻 and let me know your experience with Nano Knife & how you’re doing ?

They did not put you on any drugs?

Your PSA is down a lot, but you probably have most of your prostate left, They just removed the part that had cancer. The rest of your prostate can produce PSA and it’s down near the normal levels. No guarantee it’s going to go down further as long as you have part of your prostate still remaining

Hi Jeff,

They did not remove any part of my prostrate. They only treated the affected parts. I was not due for a PSA test till the end of August. But the VA wanted to do they’re annual screening, so hopefully it will be down even lower by the time August rolls around 😊And they are closely monitoring me with and MRI and biopsy next May……. Just to make sure they got everything………

Thank for your reply

Ray👍🏻😊🇺🇸

No Drugs 😊🇺🇸👍🏻

@cole5055
The parts they treated were obliterated. Leaves you with a smaller prostate. They cannot leave the parts of your process with cancer they must eliminate them. As a result, you have a lower PSA. If you have a prostate, you have a PSA unless you are on drugs that lower it.

It’s not Prostrate, that’s when you are laying down.

I had IRE Nanoknife a couple years ago. The tumor electrocution process was successful confirmed by both imaging and biopsy however, six months later my PSA rose by 4 points which led to another PSMA Pet scan showing that Pca was active in the pelvic lymph nodes. Doctors explained micro metastasis likely there but too small at the time of earlier Pet scan to be seen. Anyhow, my Nanoknife procedure went fairly well with the exception of a bout of urinary retention after catheter was removed. Almost no side effects with the exception of dry orgasms. As I imagine you are aware, Nanoknife focal therapy is only applicable to those deemed good candidates which I was, I don't regret trying it even though it didn't solve my Pca problem. Since then I've had 40 rounds of pelvic IMRT and have been on Orgovyx and Zytiga for 18 months with 6 more to go. PSA has been undetectable for about a year. Your substantial drop in PSA is a good sign! My PSA at 3 months prior to Nanoknife only dropped by one point from 5.6 to 4.6 which my gut told me wasn't good but the doctors said to be patient. Three months after that my PSA was over 9. I have spoken to others having had Nanoknife and Cryo therapy that have had lasting results. Stay strong. 🙂

Oops! Meant to say after Nanoknife, not prior to.