Guy's Hospital has launched an NHS pilot treating 30 men with localised prostate cancer using the ProFocal laser therapy system. Early results from the first 10 patients show eight had the treated-area cancer eradicated and two had minimal residual disease. The minimally invasive, MRI- and ultrasound-guided procedure takes about an hour under light general anaesthetic and is usually a same-day discharge. Participants will have regular follow-up, including a one-year MRI, to assess durability before any wider UK roll-out.
Guy's Hospital Pilots New ProFocal Laser Therapy for Localised Prostate Cancer — Early Results Encouraging
Rick Popert, senior consultant urological surgeon, said it was "brilliant" to pilot the technology in the NHS [BBC]
Guy's Hospital in Southwark has begun an NHS pilot using the ProFocal laser therapy system to treat men with localised prostate cancer, reporting encouraging early results from the first patients.
About the Pilot
The study will enrol 30 men. Among the first 10 patients treated, clinicians report that eight had the cancer completely eradicated in the treated area and two had only minimal residual disease. The pilot — the first European use of the technology in a hospital setting — aims to replicate longer-term experience previously reported from Australia.
The therapy can be applied to all regions of the prostate, unlike other focal therapy systems, the NHS said [BBC]
How the Treatment Works
The ProFocal system is described by the hospital as a minimally invasive focal therapy. It delivers laser energy directly into the tumour through a fine laser fibre contained within a cooled metal rod. The rod is inserted through the perineum and positioned using MRI and ultrasound guidance to target cancerous tissue precisely.
The procedure typically takes about one hour and is performed under a light general anaesthetic. Most patients go home the same day.
Chris Bearfoot is one of the people receiving the therapy as part of the pilot [BBC]
Patient Experiences
"Compared to the other options, such as surgical removal of the prostate or radiotherapy, this really feels like a huge leap forward," said Alex McWhirter, 77, a semi-retired travel journalist and one of the first patients treated.
Another participant, 61-year-old Chris Bearfoot, described the therapy as "fantastic" and said early side effects appeared reduced compared with expectations for conventional surgery.
Clinician Perspective and Next Steps
Rick Popert, senior consultant urological surgeon at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, said the system can reach and treat tumours in all regions of the prostate, including areas that are difficult to access with other focal therapies. He emphasised the dual goals of effectively treating cancer while preserving as much normal prostate tissue and function as possible.
Popert noted there was an Australian study involving more than 100 patients and that Guy's is replicating those methods in its first 30 patients. Pilot participants will receive scheduled follow-up appointments, including an MRI at one year to assess durability. Wider UK availability would depend on longer-term evidence and regulatory clearance, including a UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) mark.
Funding and Context
The ProFocal Laser Therapy System was purchased with a £125,000 donation from the London Freemasons, administered through Guy's Cancer Charity. The hospital said regulatory approvals and external support were factors in introducing the technology.
Note: These are early results from a small pilot. Longer follow-up and larger studies are needed to confirm effectiveness, side-effect profiles and long-term outcomes.
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