Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men after skin cancer, and making treatment decisions can be difficult. For decades, men had only a handful of options: watchful waiting or active surveillance, radiation therapy, or surgery such as a radical prostatectomy. While these treatments are proven and effective, they often come with trade-offs. Side effects like urinary leakage, erectile dysfunction, and long recovery times can have a major impact on quality of life.
Today, a newer and less invasive treatment called Pulsed Electric Field (PEF) Ablation is emerging as an option for men with localized prostate cancer. PEF Ablation uses controlled electrical pulses to selectively destroy cancer cells inside the prostate while protecting the surrounding nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue that are essential for urinary continence and sexual function. For many men, this approach offers an ideal balance between effective cancer control and preserving quality of life.
How PEF Ablation Works
PEF Ablation is a non-thermal focal therapy, which means it does not rely on heat or freezing to treat cancer. Instead, short, high-voltage electrical pulses are delivered through thin probes that are carefully placed into the prostate under imaging guidance. These pulses create microscopic openings in the cancer cell membranes, a process called irreversible electroporation. The targeted cancer cells cannot recover from this damage and ultimately die, while the healthy tissues that support bladder control and erections are left unharmed.
Because it is non-thermal, PEF Ablation avoids the risks associated with heat-based treatments like HIFU or freezing techniques such as cryotherapy, both of which can unintentionally damage nearby structures. This precision makes PEF Ablation one of the most promising focal therapies available today.
The Benefits of PEF Ablation
One of the most significant advantages of PEF Ablation is its organ-sparing approach. Instead of removing or treating the entire prostate, only the cancerous region is targeted. This greatly reduces the likelihood of long-term side effects such as incontinence or erectile dysfunction. The procedure is minimally invasive and is usually performed in an outpatient or short-stay setting. Most patients go home the same day or the next morning, often returning to normal activities within just a few days.
Another benefit is that PEF Ablation preserves future treatment options. If cancer recurs or new disease develops later, men can still undergo surgery or radiation. This flexibility makes it a strong option for men who want effective treatment now without closing the door on other choices in the future. Early studies also show excellent quality-of-life outcomes, with very low rates of urinary leakage, strong preservation of sexual function, and minimal bowel side effects.
Who Is the Best Candidate for PEF Ablation?
PEF Ablation is best suited for men with localized prostate cancer that is visible on MRI. Men with low-risk Gleason 6 disease may choose PEF Ablation if they prefer treatment instead of ongoing surveillance. It is also an excellent choice for men with favorable Gleason 7 (3+4) disease, who want to eliminate their cancer while maintaining urinary control and sexual function. In select cases, men with Gleason 7 (4+3) disease may also be candidates if the cancer is still confined to the prostate and can be safely accessed with treatment probes.
PEF Ablation is not appropriate for everyone. It is generally not recommended for men with high-grade cancers (Gleason 8-10), very large prostates, or cancers that have spread beyond the gland. For those patients, treatments such as robotic prostatectomy or radiation therapy often remain the best path forward.
Life After PEF Ablation
Recovery after PEF Ablation is usually quick and manageable. Most men need a temporary catheter for a few days, and some may experience mild urinary urgency or frequency in the short term. These symptoms typically resolve within a few weeks. Follow-up care is important, and patients are monitored closely with regular PSA blood tests, prostate MRIs, and sometimes repeat biopsies to ensure the cancer remains controlled.
For most men, life after PEF Ablation means returning quickly to work, family, and normal routines without the long-term side effects often associated with surgery or radiation. The majority of patients remain continent, sexual function is generally preserved, and bowel health is not significantly affected.
Why Choose Atlanta Prostate Center for PEF Ablation
At Atlanta Prostate Center, we are proud to be leaders in offering advanced, patient-centered prostate cancer care. Unlike centers that focus only on surgery or radiation, we provide the full spectrum of treatment options. This includes active surveillance supported by advanced MRI imaging, minimally invasive PEF Ablation for localized disease, robotic prostatectomy for higher-risk cancers, and radiation therapy for men who are not surgical candidates.
By offering every major treatment under one roof, we can recommend what is truly best for each patient instead of pushing a single option. Our exclusive use of advanced imaging and our expertise in focal therapy make us uniquely positioned to deliver PEF Ablation safely and effectively.
Contact Atlanta Prostate Center today for more information.
