Memorial Healthcare System Launches Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy Program with First NanoKnife® Surgery in Broward at Memorial Cancer Institute

Memorial Healthcare System’s Memorial Cancer Institute is the first in Broward County to use the NanoKnife® system for prostate cancer treatment, marking a milestone in advanced cancer care for men in South Florida.

In late August, Utsav Bansal, MD, and Jonathan Silberstein, MD, urologic oncologists at Memorial Hospital West, successfully performed the first NanoKnife® procedure on 66-year-old Burley, who was diagnosed with stage 1, grade 3 prostate cancer.

NanoKnife® surgery, formally called irreversible electroporation (IRE) of the prostate, is a minimally invasive focal therapy that uses short, high-voltage electrical pulses to precisely target and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Often described as a “lumpectomy for the prostate,” this advanced approach provides patients with effective cancer control while reducing the risk of urinary and sexual side effects that often accompany traditional surgery or radiation.

“This technology represents a significant advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer and marks a key milestone in the evolution of our Focal Therapy Program,” said Dr. Bansal, endourologist. “By focusing only on the cancerous cells, we can personalize care in a way that preserves quality of life while delivering excellent outcomes.”

While focal therapies like NanoKnife® may carry a slightly higher chance of localized recurrence compared to whole-gland treatments, emerging studies show strong cancer control and meaningful quality-of-life benefits. In the recent PRESERVE trial, a multi-center U.S. study sponsored by AngioDynamics, the manufacturer of NanoKnife®, more than 70 percent of patients had no detectable cancer in the treated portion of the prostate at 12 months, with most preserving urinary and sexual function. These results reflect in-field control (the effectiveness of treatment in the targeted area).

Separate clinical experience, including data cited by Dr. Bansal, suggests that recurrence across the prostate as a whole is typically 10 to 20 percent within the first year and 25 to 40 percent within three to five years. Importantly, when recurrence does occur, it is often localized and manageable with timely surveillance and retreatment, making NanoKnife® a valuable option for men seeking effective cancer care without compromising daily life.

“Focal therapy allows us to treat cancer precisely while minimizing side effects that can impact a man’s quality of life,” said Dr. Silberstein, urologic oncologist. “Recurrence is something we watch for closely, but the ability to monitor, detect, and retreat as needed gives our patients excellent cancer control and the chance to live well.”

The launch of the Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy Program reflects Memorial Cancer Institute’s commitment to advancing innovative and patient-centered cancer care.

For Burley, the benefits were clear.

“I feel like I can get back to living my life. Knowing I was the first patient to have this surgery at Memorial makes me grateful, not just for myself, but for the thousands of men this could help in the future.”

NanoKnife® procedures are currently being performed at Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Regional Hospital. The new Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy Program is part of Memorial’s comprehensive Division of Urology, which offers a full range of services including advanced robotic and minimally invasive surgery, treatment of urologic cancers, kidney stone management, reconstructive urology, and care for men’s and women’s urologic health needs.

For more information, visit the Prostate Cancer page.