A prostate cancer diagnosis often leads patients to the same initial options: surgery or radiation. However, these are not the only treatment approaches available, and some patients may be candidates for alternatives that aim to preserve quality of life.
For more than a decade, Vitus Private Clinic has helped pioneer minimally invasive, organ-preserving therapies designed to precisely target prostate cancer while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue.
These alternative options are designed to offer several potential advantages, including:
- Targeted destruction of known tumour tissue
- Reduced impact on urinary and sexual function
- Shorter recovery times
- Potential immune recognition support beyond the primary treatment area
In this article, we compare modern focal treatments with traditional options, clarify what “alternative” prostate cancer therapies mean in a medical context, and help you understand which treatment pathways may be appropriate for your situation.
Limitations of Standard Prostate Cancer Treatments
To fully evaluate all available treatment options, it is important to first understand standard prostate cancer therapies and their inherent limitations. The following approaches are among the most commonly prescribed treatments for prostate cancer today.
Radical Prostatectomy
Radical prostatectomy is a major surgery to remove the entire prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and sometimes nearby lymph nodes. This has been the standard prostate cancer treatment for more than a century, but it has several limitations.
For starters, radical prostatectomy is used to remove all detectable cancer from the prostate, but it does not address micrometastases that may have already spread elsewhere in the body. These micrometastases are what ultimately lead to recurrences, with metastatic prostate cancer being the leading cause of prostate cancer-related deaths.
Not only does prostatectomy not address cancer that has spread elsewhere, but it also has several side effects, including impotence and incontinence in many patients.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy, or radiation therapy, uses high-energy rays to damage the DNA of prostate cancer cells. The treatment can be given externally (External Beam Radiation Therapy) or internally (Brachytherapy) through radioactive seeds being placed in or near the prostate.
However, radiation therapy is ionizing. This means it affects both cancerous cells and nearby healthy tissue, which ultimately leads to several possible side effects, including erectile dysfunction, urinary symptoms, bowel irritation, and radiation cystitis/proctitis.
At the same time, it’s also a localized treatment, which offers no direct support for targeting metastases. As a result, recurrence and metastatic risk can remain when cancer has spread beyond the treatment area.
Hormone Therapy
Hormone therapy, also known as androgen deprivation therapy, works by reducing the levels of male hormones to stop them from supporting prostate cancer cell growth. The problem is that this treatment option does not actually destroy cancer cells.
For this reason, hormone therapy is most commonly used for advanced cases and metastatic prostate cancer, where limiting growth is essential for controlling disease progression throughout the body. But again, this treatment option has its drawbacks.
Over time, cancer cells may adapt and become hormone-resistant, meaning long-term use can lead to castration-resistant prostate cancer. On top of that, side effects can include erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, weight gain, and increased metabolic and cardiovascular risk, which tend to increase with long-term use.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is less commonly used for prostate cancer overall, but it is often part of treatment for advanced disease, either alongside hormone therapy or in response to castration-resistant prostate cancer.
In this treatment option, anticancer chemotherapy drugs are injected into the veins or taken by mouth to target cancer cells throughout the body. But, chemotherapy is indiscriminate in its targeting, meaning it can affect both cancerous and healthy cells.
This systemic exposure leads to widespread cellular stress, resulting in significant side effects that include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, neuropathy, immune suppression, and an increased risk of infections, all of which can become worse as multiple sessions result in cumulative toxicity.
Focal Therapies as the Leading Alternative Treatment
For patients seeking alternative prostate cancer treatments, focal ablation therapies such as IRE and ECT offer a different approach.
Rather than treating the entire prostate or the whole body, these therapies target localized cancer while preserving surrounding healthy tissue and function. Vitus specializes in non-thermal approaches, which preserve and release tumour antigens and support immune recognition.
Irreversible Electroporation (IRE / NanoKnife)
Irreversible Electroporation is a non-thermal ablation therapy that destroys prostate cancer cells using electrical pulses. Using NanoKnife technology, thin needle electrodes are placed in the treatment zone, where short electrical pulses are applied.
The procedure is minimally invasive and, because it does not use heat or radiation, preserves surrounding tissue, blood vessels, and structures. As a result, it is associated with high rates of continence and potency preservation.
At Vitus, the treatment takes 48 hours from the moment of admittance to discharge the morning after the procedure, with most patients experiencing little to no pain and returning to their daily routines shortly afterward.
Learn more about IRE for prostate cancer →
Electrochemotherapy (ECT)
Electrochemotherapy combines reversible electroporation with a low-dose chemotherapeutic agent to treat focal prostate cancer while minimizing exposure outside the treatment area. Short electrical pulses are applied to the tumour, allowing chemotherapy to work more effectively at the treatment site.
As a result, chemotherapy drugs can be delivered at much lower doses than with chemotherapy alone, and most patients do not experience the systemic side effects commonly associated with traditional chemotherapy.
Vitus is currently the only clinic offering electrochemotherapy for prostate cancer, where it is used as a tissue-preserving option for tumours near sensitive areas such as the sphincter, where precision is critical.
Learn more about electrochemotherapy for prostate cancer →
IRE + ECT (IRECT) Combination Therapy
IRECT is an advanced focal treatment for prostate cancer that was developed at Vitus Private Clinic and is available exclusively at our centre. It combines Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) with Electrochemotherapy (ECT) to treat larger, irregular, or complex tumours, as well as difficult local recurrences.
The combination therapy works by creating two treatment zones. The primary IRE treatment field destroys tumour cells directly, while a surrounding zone of reversible electroporation allows a low-dose chemotherapeutic agent to enhance treatment beyond the primary ablation area.
By expanding the effective treatment zone while preserving nearby structures, IRECT allows Vitus to treat advanced or difficult-to-reach prostate tumours in a precise and tissue-preserving way, particularly in cases involving the sphincter, bladder wall, or rectum.
Learn more about IRECT for prostate cancer →
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Photodynamic therapy is a focal treatment that uses light and a natural dye, known as a photosensitizer, to destroy prostate cancer cells. The photosensitizer is absorbed more readily by tumour tissue and is then activated using a specific wavelength of light.
This activation destroys cancer cells while largely sparing surrounding healthy tissue. Because PDT does not use heat, freezing, or radiation, it helps preserve nearby nerves and structures.
PDT is most often used for small, well-defined prostate tumours where a precise, tissue-preserving approach is appropriate, particularly when maintaining urinary and sexual function is a priority.
Learn more about PDT for prostate cancer →
Immunotherapy With Focal Ablation Therapy
Prostate cancer is innately a cold tumour, meaning the immune system often struggles to recognize cancer cells as harmful. During non-thermal focal ablation therapy, prostate-specific tumour antigens may be preserved and released rather than destroyed.
These antigens can help the immune system better recognize prostate cancer cells. This immune effect is one reason Vitus pairs focal ablation with immunotherapy, as part of a broader strategy aimed at supporting immune engagement beyond the primary treatment site.
When combined with focal ablation, immunotherapy represents an alternative prostate cancer treatment approach focused on immune support, without the tissue damage associated with radiotherapy or the cumulative toxicity of chemotherapy.
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How Focal Therapies Compare to Traditional Treatments
When it comes to treating prostate cancer, no single approach is the best option for every patient. Still, minimally invasive focal therapies offer a balance between effective cancer treatment and quality of life, while supporting immune engagement compared to whole-gland approaches.
When compared side by side, the key differences between focal therapies and traditional treatments are found in how much tissue is treated, how recovery is experienced, and how side effects are managed. Here is a closer look.
Effectiveness in Local Tumour Control
Traditional treatments such as radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy are designed to treat the entire prostate gland in order to address all potential cancerous tissue. In contrast, focal therapies aim to destroy only the tumour identified through MRI and biopsy.
This targeted approach can achieve effective local tumour control while avoiding unnecessary treatment of healthy prostate tissue. Outcomes depend heavily on accurate imaging, tumour characteristics, and careful treatment planning.
Potency & Continence Outcomes
With surgery and radiation therapy, nerves and structures responsible for urinary and sexual function are often affected because large areas of tissue are exposed during treatment. As a result, incontinence and erectile dysfunction remain common side effects of whole-gland approaches.
Non-thermal focal therapies differ in that they are designed to avoid these structures by limiting treatment to the tumour itself. By preserving surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue, focal therapies reduce the risk of long-term urinary and sexual side effects in many patients.
Recovery Time & Hospital Stay
Traditional prostate cancer treatments can involve major surgery or weeks of radiation therapy, both of which may require longer recovery periods and ongoing follow-up care.
Focal therapies are typically performed as minimally invasive procedures with shorter hospital stays. Most patients experience a faster return to normal daily activities compared to prostate cancer surgery or prolonged radiotherapy, with less disruption to overall quality of life.
Side Effects and Complication Risk
Because traditional treatments often involve treating the entire prostate or exposing the whole body to therapy, the overall risk of side effects can be higher.
For example:
- Surgery can affect urinary and sexual function due to nerve and tissue disruption.
- Radiation therapy may cause urinary, bowel, and sexual side effects related to radiation exposure of healthy tissue.
- Hormone therapy may cause hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, loss of libido, and metabolic changes.
- Chemotherapy involves systemic exposure and can lead to fatigue, immune suppression, and other toxic effects.
Focal therapies differ in that treatment is limited to the tumour itself. By avoiding unnecessary exposure to surrounding tissue and the rest of the body, non-thermal focal therapies reduce the risk of complications such as erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, rectal injury, and radiation-related toxicity.
Who May Benefit From Focal Prostate Cancer Treatments
Minimally invasive focal therapies are used to treat prostate cancer across a broad range of stages, including localized prostate cancer, recurrent disease, and advanced prostate cancer, including metastatic disease. Treatment planning is guided by tumour characteristics, imaging findings, and individual treatment goals.
They may be considered for prostate cancer patients who are:
- Looking to avoid the side-effects associated with standard treatments such as surgery or radiation
- Diagnosed with prostate cancer identified on MRI and biopsy, including localized, recurrent, and metastatic disease
- Living with larger or anatomically complex tumours that are not well suited to thermal therapies
- Being treated for recurrent prostate cancer after surgery, radiation, or prior focal treatments
- Placing a high priority on preserving continence and sexual function
Alternative Treatments With Limited Evidence
While minimally invasive focal ablation therapies have shown strong results in treating prostate cancer while preserving organ function, they are not the only options often described as “alternative” treatments. Approaches such as HIFU, cryotherapy, and various forms of alternative medicine are also frequently discussed.
Some of these treatments may appear appealing at first glance, but they can carry meaningful limitations. In many cases, they are supported by less robust clinical evidence, offer narrower eligibility, or come with side effects that may limit their long-term advantages compared to non-thermal focal ablation therapies.
Below is a closer look at these options to help clarify how they differ and what patients should consider when evaluating their treatment choices.
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU)
High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment that is increasingly discussed. The treatment uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to heat and destroy prostate cancer cells.
HIFU can be effective for treating focal prostate cancer, but it relies on thermal ablation. As a result, surrounding tissue may also be affected, which can increase the risk of nerve damage and associated side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
In addition, because HIFU destroys tissue through heat, it does not preserve tumour antigens in the same way as non-thermal focal therapies. This limits its ability to support immune recognition during treatment.
Tulsa Pro
Tulsa Pro is a minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment that uses transurethral ultrasound to deliver thermal energy and destroy prostate cancer tissue. The ultrasound device is inserted through the urethra, and the procedure is performed under MRI guidance to monitor treatment delivery in real time.
Because Tulsa Pro relies on thermal ablation, surrounding tissue may also be affected, which can increase the risk of side effects such as urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. In addition, the transurethral approach can limit treatment coverage for tumours located near the outer regions of the prostate, which may result in incomplete treatment in more complex cases.
Like other thermal therapies, Tulsa Pro destroys tissue through heat and does not preserve tumour antigens in the same way as non-thermal focal therapies. This limits its potential to support immune recognition when compared to non-thermal approaches.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is another thermal, minimally invasive prostate cancer treatment that relies on freezing prostate tissue to destroy cancer cells. During treatment, thin metal probes are inserted into the treatment area, causing the surrounding prostate tissue to freeze.
Because cryotherapy is temperature-based ablation, nearby tissue can also be affected, particularly when tumours are close to sensitive structures. This can increase the risk of nerve injury and side effects, including erectile dysfunction.
Like HIFU, cryotherapy destroys tissue through thermal effects and does not preserve tumour antigens in the same way as non-thermal focal therapies. As a result, it may offer less of the immune-supporting effect Vitus aims for when focal treatment is paired with immunotherapy.
Alternative Medicine Approaches
It’s not uncommon for patients to explore alternative medicine following a prostate cancer diagnosis, particularly when trying to avoid the side effects associated with traditional treatment methods.
There are many supplements and natural therapies that claim to offer a “cure” for prostate cancer, but these claims generally lack high-quality evidence. Some supplements have been studied as potential supportive options, but even the most promising findings have been mixed and are rarely supported by clinical trials.
As a result, complementary and alternative medicine should never replace evidence-based prostate cancer treatment. Any supplement or natural therapy should always be discussed with a physician to avoid interfering with diagnostics, focal therapy, immunotherapy, or other aspects of care.
How to Evaluate Alternative Treatment Providers
Not all “alternative” prostate cancer clinics offer the same level of precision, experience, or follow-up. When comparing providers, focus on:
- Experience with focal therapies (and how long they’ve been doing them)
- Whether focal therapy is a core specialty or an occasional offering
- Imaging and diagnostics standards (MRI + biopsy correlation)
- Real-time guidance during treatment (not just planning)
- Case volume and what outcomes they track over time
- Comfort treating tumours near sensitive structures (sphincter, bladder wall, rectum)
- Transparency about side effects, limitations, and what happens if cancer returns
Why Patients Choose Vitus for Focal Therapy
Patients often choose Vitus because non-thermal focal therapy is the clinic’s main focus, and treatment is built around precision and functional preservation.
- Non-thermal focal specialization
- Expertise with IRE, ECT, IRECT, and PDT
- Advanced imaging + manual technique refinement
- Emphasis on preserving continence and potency
- Experience with complex cases and local recurrences
- International patient support and coordinated follow-up
FAQs About Alternative Treatments For Prostate Cancer
You may be a candidate if your prostate cancer can be identified on MRI and biopsy, including localized, recurrent, or metastatic disease. Focal therapies are used across a broad range of clinical scenarios, including treatment of cancer recurrence after surgery or radiation. Final candidacy depends on tumour characteristics, imaging findings, prior treatments, and a detailed clinical review rather than PSA alone.
Minimally invasive focal therapies preserve the prostate and avoid the whole-gland changes associated with surgery or radiation. Because of this, treatment does not preclude future options. If prostate cancer persists or returns, focal therapy can be repeated using the same techniques, with ongoing monitoring used to guide care over time.
Surgery and radiation treat the entire prostate, while focal therapies target only the known tumour. This targeted approach aims to reduce side effects and preserve function in appropriately selected patients. Each option has different trade-offs, and no single treatment is right for everyone.
Focal therapies use established medical technologies and are performed within structured clinical protocols. Safety and outcomes depend on factors such as cancer stage, tumour aggressiveness, imaging accuracy, and physician experience. As with all prostate cancer treatments, risks and outcomes vary by individual case.
Vitus focuses exclusively on non-thermal focal prostate cancer therapies. The clinic has more than a decade of experience using techniques such as IRE, ECT, IRECT, and PDT, including in complex and recurrent cases. This specialization allows treatment to be tailored with precision and functional preservation in mind.