The following treatments are sometimes used for early stage prostate cancer; however they are not widely available. If you think that one of the treatments may be suitable for you it is best to discuss this with your cancer specialist. They can advise whether the treatment could be helpful in your particular case.

Cryotherapy is available as a treatment for early prostate cancer in some hospitals in the UK. It may be as effective as the other standard treatments for prostate cancer.

Cryotherapy is carried out under general or spinal anaesthetic. A number of metal probes are put through the skin and into the affected area of the prostate gland. The probes contain liquid nitrogen, which freezes and destroys the cancer cells. Local anaesthetic is used to numb the treatment area, but even so the treatment can cause pain. Painkillers may be necessary for a few days after the treatment. Men who have had cryotherapy treatment can have radiotherapy or surgery if their cancer comes back.

After the cryotherapy procedure, a tube (catheter) is inserted into the bladder through the skin of the abdomen to drain urine. The catheter is left in place for 1-2 weeks.

The possible side effects include erection problems in approximately 8 out of 10 men (80%), and urine leakage (incontinence) in less than 1 in 10 men (10%). However, the long-term side effects are not yet known. It is only suitable for very small prostate cancers and cannot be used for cancers near the outer edge of the prostate.

High Intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is sometimes used as a treatment for early prostate cancer. This treatment may be as effective as surgery or radiotherapy for early prostate cancer.

HIFU treatment is given under a general or spinal anaesthetic. A probe is inserted into the back passage (rectum). The probe produces a high-energy beam of ultrasound. This heats the affected area of the prostate gland, destroying the cancer. The probe is surrounded by a cooling balloon to protect the normal prostate tissue from damage.

The side effects can include urine infections, leakage of urine, erection difficulties and, rarely, damage to the bowel wall, which may need to be repaired by surgery. The long-term side effects of this treatment are not yet known.