Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, and while advancements in treatment have improved survival rates, the journey is often fraught with emotional and physical challenges.
Beyond the immediate concern of combating the disease, many men grapple with the life-altering impact of potential treatment side effects, particularly those affecting their quality of life.
Luckily, a groundbreaking surgical technique is offering a beacon of hope for men facing this challenging disease.
The new procedure, dubbed NeuroSafe, is showing remarkable promise in preserving men’s sexual function while undergoing prostate cancer surgery.
This innovative approach nearly doubles the chances of maintaining erectile function post-surgery compared to traditional methods, according to the first comprehensive trial of the procedure.
Surgeons in five UK hospitals have been assessing this nerve-saving surgical technique, which focuses on preserving the delicate nerves that weave through the prostate’s outer layer—nerves that play a crucial role in achieving erections.
The NeuroSafe procedure involves real-time analysis of prostate tissue removed during surgery. If the tissue examination indicates that the tumour was successfully excised, surgeons can leave the nerve-containing outer layer of the prostate intact, significantly reducing the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Prof Greg Shaw, the trial lead and a consultant urologist at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, expressed optimism about the procedure.
‘This procedure gives surgeons feedback during the surgery to give them the certainty they need to spare as many nerves as possible and give men increased hope of recovering their sexual potency after their cancer is surgically removed,’ he said.
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern for Australian men. It’s the most commonly diagnosed cancer among males in Australia, excluding non-melanoma skin cancer.
Each year, approximately 25,000 new cases are diagnosed. Globally, the numbers mirror the high incidence, with millions affected annually.
Advancements in robotic surgery have paved the way for precision ‘nerve-sparing’ operations, which aim to remove the diseased prostate while preserving the surrounding nerve tissue.
However, ensuring that no cancer cells are left behind has always been a challenge.
In cases where the cancer is advanced, surgeons have traditionally opted to remove the entire prostate, including the outer layers, to minimise the risk of leaving behind any cancerous cells.
The NeuroSafe procedure takes a different approach. Surgeons remove the prostate while attempting to conserve as much nerve tissue as possible.
Surgeons rapidly freeze, stain, and examine the prostate slices for cancer cells. If the tumour has not reached the surface, the nerves can be spared, and the surgery is deemed complete.
The trial involved 344 men with prostate cancer who had no history of erectile dysfunction. Half underwent the NeuroSafe procedure, while the other half received standard surgery.
One year later, the results were telling: 56 per cent of men who had standard surgery reported severe erectile dysfunction, compared to just 38 per cent who had NeuroSafe surgery.
Furthermore, only 23 per cent of men who underwent standard surgery reported no or mild erectile dysfunction, in stark contrast to the 39 per cent who had the NeuroSafe procedure.
Researchers presented these findings at the 2025 European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid and published them in the Lancet Oncology, marking a significant step forward in the treatment of prostate cancer.
Dr Matthew Hobbs, the director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted the importance of this development. ‘Prostate cancer surgery is a life-saving option for lots of men, but it’s a major procedure that can cause side effects like erection problems. A major challenge we face is how to cure men but also ensure they can live life to the full afterward,’ he said.
‘This study is promising and provides evidence that innovative types of surgery can reduce erectile dysfunction in some men. However, more research is needed to prove whether NeuroSafe is as effective as traditional techniques at delivering a complete cure.’
The next steps involve determining which patients could benefit most from NeuroSafe and whether this technique can be scaled up across the NHS to make it accessible to men throughout the UK.
‘We also need to understand exactly which men could benefit from this new technique and, crucially, whether this technique could be delivered at scale across the NHS to make it accessible to men across the UK.’
For our readers who may be facing prostate cancer treatment, this news could be a game-changer.
It’s a reminder that medical science is continually advancing, and treatments are becoming more sophisticated and tailored to individual needs.
If you or a loved one is considering prostate cancer surgery, it may be worth discussing the possibility of nerve-sparing techniques like NeuroSafe with your healthcare provider.
As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you or someone you know undergone prostate cancer treatment? What was the outcome, and how did it impact your quality of life? Your stories can provide comfort and insight to others navigating similar journeys.
Also read: One in four Australian men over 40 experience erectile dysfunction, but it is rarely talked about
