NGH launches transformational procedure to help diagnose prostate cancer

UHN Focal Therapy Lead, Mr Chandran Tanabalan, and Northamptonshire Health Charity Chief Executive, Jonathan McGee, pictured together at the initial launch of the Focal Therapy Service in April 2025

Northampton General Hospital (NGH) has become the first NHS hospital in the East Midlands to purchase an innovative biopsy machine to improve the diagnosis of prostate cancer for NHS patients. 

Funded by donation from Northamptonshire Health Charity, the new technology enables doctors to carry out targeted biopsies of the prostate by digitally overlaying MRI and ultrasound scans to identify potential tumours with pinpoint accuracy.

This reduces the need for patients to undergo repeat biopsies, shortening the time it can take to diagnose cancer and start appropriate treatment.  

Mr Chandran Tanabalan is the hospital’s Focal Therapy Lead and is also a consultant urologist and robotic surgeon.

He said: “By offering new MRI fusion-guided biopsies to all patients on our prostate cancer pathway, we can diagnose cancer more accurately and start the most appropriate treatment as quickly as possible.

“The quicker results can also sometimes provide greater reassurance to patients during what can be a very anxious time.” 

It is the latest tool in a growing arsenal of techniques used by the hospital to provide cutting edge prostate cancer diagnostics. The machine is part of a growing suite of prostate cancer services which include robotic assisted surgery, radiotherapy and our recently launched focal therapy service.  

Focal therapy services include both High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and Nanoknife which were launched at the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire following a Focal Therapy fundraising appeal by Northamptonshire Health Charity.

The first focal therapy procedure launched was High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) – a pioneering, non-invasive treatment that uses focused sound waves to destroy cancerous tissue with precision – in June 2025.

This was followed by the introduction of Nanoknife (Irreversible Electroporation) treatment in November 2025 – a procedure which targets tumours using a high voltage electrical current to help preserve surrounding healthy prostate tissue. 

The hospital has treated almost 100 men with focal therapy to date with positive patient feedback.

Mr Tanabalan said: “We are immensely proud to offer some of the most advanced NHS prostate cancer diagnostics and treatments in the region. It means we can provide our patients with a very high level of specialist care that can be personalised to them.

“The results so far have been extremely encouraging. Every procedure has been completed safely, with no significant complications, and with almost all patients returning home on the same day as their treatment.

“Early follow-up has shown a significant reduction in PSA levels after three months, while the majority of patients have reported either no change or an improvement in their urinary symptoms, and most have experienced no change in erectile function following treatment.”

Chief Executive of the Northamptonshire Health Charity, Jonathan McGee, said: “I am delighted that our very well supported appeal has been such a great success delivering focal therapy to Northamptonshire for the first time.

“Each new layer of technology that has been added has enabled clinicians to offer new ways of diagnosing and treating prostate cancer.”

Mr McGee, who has prostate cancer himself, added: “I am acutely aware of the importance of having more effective diagnosis and less invasive treatments. Thanks to our generous donors, we are extremely proud to have been able to support this transformational service and equipment which makes such a difference for patients.”

UHN aims to continue enhancing prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. To help make this possible, people can still donate to the NHC focal therapy appeal.

Learn more about prostate cancer and focal therapy at a Men’s Health and Wellbeing event at Cripps Postgraduate Medical Centre, Northampton General Hospital, on Friday November 6. The event will also feature a range other health information and support services. Further information will be shared soon.