Nanoknife

Treatment of prostate cancer with electric current; nanoknife

Normally, after prostate surgeries performed with robotic surgery or open surgery, urinary incontinence or erection problems may occur. IRE (Nanoknife), a focal treatment with electric current without any incisions, scars or holes in early stage prostate cancers, eliminates these risks. “Nanoknife” treatment in prostate cancer is applied for the first time in Turkey, after Germany and England, at Liv Hospital Vadistanbul within a hospital.

What is nanoknife?

The nanoknife is an electric current process. It is successfully used in low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients. During the procedure, only the cancerous areas of the prostate are treated by applying electricity. Without removing the entire prostate gland, only cancerous cells are destroyed. Robotic or open surgery comes into play in advanced home prostate cancer.

How is the procedure done?

The prostate is entered with a needle from the perineum. While the patient is under a light anaesthesia, a needle is inserted into the tumor area with ultrasound and monitors. Only by applying an electric current to that area breaks the walls of the tumor cells. No electricity is supplied to other parts of the prostate. Thus, the prostate tissue is preserved and only the diseased area is treated. The patient's urinary functions and sexual functions are not harmed.

What are the advantages?

• Since it is a non-surgical procedure, there is no incision or scarring.
• Since electricity is given only to tumor cells, healthy tissue is protected and does not damage nerves.
• It does not require hospitalization as there is no surgery.
• The patient is given a mild anesthetic.
• The patient can return to his normal life the next day.