Focal therapy has changed the way prostate cancer is treated. Instead of surgically removing or treating the entire gland with radiation, minimally invasive, focal approach – whether it’s HIFU or IRE – targets only the cancerous area (with a margin of safety), preserving surrounding healthy tissue and reducing side effects.
At Urology Innovations Canada, men go home the same day and are back to their regular routines quickly. But what happens next? Here are the questions men most often ask in the weeks and months after treatment.
How long is recovery after focal therapy?
Most men resume light activity within a few days. You may experience mild urinary symptoms for a short time — such as urgency or frequency — but these typically resolve within two to three weeks. There are no surgical incisions and no hospital stay.
Will I need a catheter?
Yes. All patients will go home with a catheter in place for about two weeks. A catheter makes it possible for men to urinate without issues while the expected swelling in the prostate goes down.
When does PSA go down after treatment?
Your PSA level will gradually decline over several weeks. Because focal therapy leaves healthy prostate tissue in place, PSA does not drop to zero. What matters is the trend — your physician will monitor it over time to ensure it remains stable or decreases as expected. We recommend testing every 3 months for the first year until the readings stabilize at a new baseline level.
Will I need another treatment?
In most cases, no further treatment is needed. However, prostate cancer can sometimes be detected again — either in a different part of the prostate or, more rarely, in the same area that was treated. Studies show that recurrence within the treated zone happens in roughly 5-15% of men, while new areas may appear elsewhere in about 15-25% of cases over time.
That’s why regular PSA testing and follow-up MRI imaging are essential. If a new or recurrent focus is detected, focal therapy can often be safely repeated — whether with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) or NanoKnife Irreversible Electroporation (IRE). This flexibility is one of the key advantages of focal therapy over whole-gland treatments, allowing long-term cancer control while preserving quality of life.
What about urinary or sexual function?
Most men preserve normal urinary control and sexual function after focal therapy.
“For the right patient, it changes everything — preserving not just life, but also quality of life while curing their prostate cancer,” says Dr. Jack Barkin, Medical Director at Urology Innovations Canada.
What does long-term follow-up look like?
You’ll have a follow-up schedule tailored to your needs, typically including PSA testing every 3 months and MRI imaging at one year. Our goal is to ensure continued cancer control and excellent quality of life.