Burley is First Patient Treated for Prostate Cancer with NanoKnife in Broward County

When 66-year-old Burley Brewster was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he became the first patient at Memorial Healthcare System and the first in Broward County to be treated with the NanoKnife® system, an advanced, minimally invasive procedure that targets cancer cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Often called a “lumpectomy for the prostate,” this breakthrough treatment destroys cancer cells without removing the entire prostate, helping men avoid common side effects like urinary or sexual problems that can occur after traditional surgery or radiation.

“This technology is a big step forward in how we treat prostate cancer and marks a key milestone in the evolution of our Focal Therapy Program,” said Utsav Bansal, MD, endourologist at Memorial Cancer Institute. “By focusing only on the cancerous cells, we can personalize care in a way that preserves quality of life while delivering excellent outcomes.”

“Focal therapy allows us to treat cancer precisely while minimizing side effects that can impact a man’s quality of life,” added Jonathan Silberstein, MD, chief of the uro-oncology program and urologic oncologist.

For Burley, the results were life-changing.

NanoKnife procedures are now being performed at Memorial Hospital West and Memorial Regional Hospital, as part of the new Prostate Cancer Focal Therapy Program, continuing Memorial’s mission to deliver innovative, patient-centered cancer care close to home.