Australia’s RBWH offers NanoKnife treatment for prostate cancer

Electrical pulses are delivered to damage cancer cells.

The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) has adopted the NanoKnife treatment for patients who develop recurrent prostate cancer despite previous radiotherapy.

The procedure involves inserting needles into the prostate near the cancer site. Electrical pulses are delivered between the needles to irreversibly damage the cancer cell membranes, leading to cell death.

Previously, the treatment was only available through the private sector, according to the hospital.

“After seeing the success of the procedure in the private sector, I wanted this technology to be available to public patients who otherwise may not be able to afford the treatment,” said RBWH Senior Visiting Urological Surgeon A/Professor John Yaxley.

The procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to major surgery or salvage radiation therapy.