3D anatomical illustration of the male pelvis showing the prostate gland highlighted in red, with bladder, rectum, and surrounding anatomy visualized in blue X-ray style Urologic Oncology Services · NYC

Prostate, Bladder & Kidney Cancer Treatment in NYC

A complete range of treatment options for prostate cancer, bladder and upper tract urothelial cancer, and kidney cancer, delivered at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan. Each recommendation is tailored to the patient's cancer biology, anatomy, and priorities.

Services are grouped by cancer type. Most patients start with the Where to Start section, then scroll to the section that matches their diagnosis: Prostate Cancer, Bladder & Upper Tract Cancer, or Kidney Cancer.

Where to Start

Most prostate cancer decisions are not urgent. The right starting point is often a structured surveillance program or an independent second opinion before any treatment is chosen.

Active Surveillance

Structured monitoring for low-risk and favorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer with PSA, multiparametric MRI, and protocolized transperineal biopsy.

Explore Surveillance →

Prostate Cancer Second Opinion NYC

Independent review of PSA, MRI, biopsy, and any proposed treatment plan from a urologic oncologist who performs the full spectrum of treatments.

Book a Second Opinion →
Schedule a New Patient Visit New patient and second-opinion visits at NYU Langone Health, Main Campus, Manhattan. Insurance participation varies by plan and location, please confirm coverage with NYU Langone and your insurer before scheduling.
Focal Therapy

Focal Therapy for Prostate Cancer

Focal therapy is a category of minimally invasive prostate cancer treatments that destroy only the cancerous portion of the prostate while preserving healthy tissue, the urethra, neurovascular bundles, and surrounding anatomy. The goal is to control the cancer while preserving urinary, sexual, and bowel function, and keeping every future treatment option open.

Dr. Wei Phin Tan offers HIFU, cryoablation, and Aliya pulsed electric field therapy at NYU Langone Health, Main Campus in Manhattan. Multiple focal therapy tools under one surgeon. He personally performs 70+ focal therapies per year, part of NYU Langone's program performing 250+ procedures annually, one of the highest-volume focal therapy programs in New York City.

At-a-Glance

HIFU vs. Cryoablation vs. Robotic Prostatectomy vs. Radiation

Radiation includes EBRT (external beam), SBRT (stereotactic body radiation), and brachytherapy.

A simplified side-by-side. Every patient is different, this table is a starting point for a conversation, not a substitute for one. What the right option is for you depends on your cancer biology, anatomy, urinary function, and priorities.

Factor HIFU Cryoablation Robotic Prostatectomy Radiation
Approach Focused ultrasound heat delivered through a transrectal probe Cryoprobes placed through the perineum to freeze the cancer Entire prostate removed robotically through several small incisions External beam, SBRT, or brachytherapy delivered over days to weeks
Anesthesia & Setting General anesthesia; outpatient procedure General anesthesia; outpatient procedure General anesthesia; same-day discharge EBRT/SBRT usually require no anesthesia; brachytherapy usually requires anesthesia
Treatment Time Usually 60 to 90 minutes Usually 1 to 2 hours Usually 2 to 3 hours SBRT is commonly 5 sessions; EBRT is commonly several weeks; brachytherapy may be a single procedure or combined with EBRT
Recovery Normal activity in several days; catheter usually 5 to 7 days Normal activity in about 1 week; catheter usually 5 to 7 days Light activity within days; catheter usually 5 to 7 days; return to normal activity over several weeks Minimal downtime; urinary and bowel irritation can occur during treatment, with fatigue building over time
Urinary Side Effects Leakage is uncommon after focal HIFU, though temporary urgency, frequency, weak stream, or retention can occur Leakage is uncommon after focal cryoablation, though temporary urgency, frequency, weak stream, or retention can occur Dr. Tan uses a urethral-sparing robotic technique designed to preserve early urinary control. Many patients regain continence soon after catheter removal, although temporary leakage can still occur, particularly with a very large median lobe or more complex anatomy Radiation can cause urgency, frequency, burning, weak stream, and sometimes urge incontinence, which may occur during treatment or develop years later
Erectile Function Preservation Often favorable when treatment is away from the nerve bundles Often favorable when the nerve bundles are outside the ice ball; lower with whole-gland treatment Depends on baseline function, age, cancer location, and nerve-sparing; recovery can take 12 to 24 months Often declines gradually over 2 to 5 years; risk is higher with age, baseline ED, and ADT
Cancer Control Good for well-selected, MRI-visible localized lesions; repeat treatment is possible Good for well-selected localized lesions; repeat treatment is possible Established whole-gland treatment with final pathology and staging information Established long-term cancer control across risk groups
Salvage if It Fails Repeat HIFU, cryoablation, radiation, or surgery may be possible Repeat cryoablation, HIFU, radiation, or surgery may be possible Salvage radiation is standard when indicated Surgery or focal therapy after radiation is possible but technically harder and more morbid
Best For Posterior, mid-gland, MRI-visible lesions in well-selected patients Selected focal cases, larger glands, and salvage after radiation Patients wanting definitive whole-gland removal, final pathology, and staging information Men who prefer non-surgical treatment, patients at higher surgical risk, and many intermediate- or high-risk cases
Insurance / Medicare Coverage Variable; often inconsistent for primary focal therapy Usually covered for whole-gland or salvage settings; focal primary cryo coverage varies by payer Generally covered Generally covered

These comparisons are general ranges based on published experience and clinical practice. Your individual risks depend on your cancer, anatomy, prior treatments, and baseline urinary and sexual function. Dr. Tan will personalize these estimates at consultation.

Not Sure Which Treatment Is Right for You?

The best treatment isn't always the most aggressive one, or the newest one. Dr. Tan's consultation walks through the full spectrum of options so you can decide alongside, not be pushed into, a plan.

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