Focal Therapies for Prostate Cancer Treatment 7.01.01
Summary
Cryosurgery and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for recurrent prostate cancer are medically appropriate when prostate cancer has recurred after radiation therapy, as shown by a positive repeat biopsy, and there is no metastatic disease. Cryotherapy or other focal therapies, including HIFU, used for routine primary therapy for localized prostate cancer are considered investigational, as are vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy, irreversible electroporation, NanoKnife tissue ablation, laser interstitial thermal therapy, transurethral ultrasound ablation, NanoTherm magnetic field induction, and high energy water vapor thermotherapy for routine treatment. The 08/20/26 annual review kept the policy intent unchanged, and the current effective date is August 20, 2026.
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