Urologic Oncology Services · NYC
Prostate & Kidney Cancer Treatment in NYC
A complete range of treatment options for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancer — delivered at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan. Each recommendation is tailored to the patient's cancer biology, anatomy, and priorities.
HIFU Focal Therapy
High-intensity focused ultrasound via the Focal One machine. Outpatient, organ-sparing, 60–90 minutes. Low incontinence and ED rates.
Explore HIFU →Cryoablation
MRI fusion-guided cryoablation with six patterns — quadrant (anterior & posterolateral), hemiablation (lateral & anterior), hockey-stick, and subtotal. Primary and salvage cryo for radio-recurrent disease.
Explore Cryo →Robotic Prostatectomy
Precision Prostatectomy with long urethral sparing. Same-day discharge for most. Featured as NYU Langone Physician Focus case.
Explore Surgery →Robotic Kidney Surgery
Partial and radical nephrectomy via robotic retroperitoneal or transperitoneal approaches. Caval thrombectomy. Signatera MRD monitoring.
Explore Kidney →Transperineal MRI Fusion Biopsy
500+ per year. Published pain score 1.8/10 — no sedation needed for most. Near-zero infection risk. Pronox available for anxious patients.
Explore Biopsy →Schedule a Consultation
New patient and second-opinion visits at NYU Langone, Manhattan. Most major insurers accepted.
Book online →HIFU vs. Cryoablation vs. Robotic Prostatectomy vs. Radiation
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 (EBRT / SBRT / Brachy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Focused ultrasound heat, transrectal probe | Cryoprobes through perineum, freeze to −40°C | Entire prostate removed robotically through 6 small incisions | External beam, SBRT, or seed implant over days–weeks |
| Anesthesia & Setting | General anesthesia, outpatient | General anesthesia, outpatient | General anesthesia, typically same-day or 1-night stay | No anesthesia; multiple outpatient visits (or one for SBRT) |
| Treatment Time | 60–90 min procedure | 1–2 hr procedure | 2–3 hr procedure | 1–9 weeks of sessions (SBRT: 5 sessions) |
| Recovery | Normal activity in 3–5 days; catheter 3–5 days | Normal activity in about 1 week; catheter 5–7 days | Normal activity in 2–4 weeks; catheter 7–10 days | Minimal downtime; cumulative fatigue during treatment |
| Incontinence Risk | Low (<2%) | Low (<2% primary; higher in salvage) | 5–15% long-term mild stress incontinence | Low early; late urethral stricture / urinary symptoms possible |
| Erectile Function Preservation | High — depends on treatment zone vs. nerve bundles | High when bundles outside ice ball; lower in whole-gland cryo | Depends on nerve-sparing and pre-op function; recovery over 12–24 mo | Gradual decline over 2–5 yrs; can be significant by year 5 |
| Cancer Control (intermediate-risk) | Good for well-selected lesions; re-treatable | Good for well-selected lesions; re-treatable | Whole-gland removal; pathology available | Well-established long-term control |
| Salvage After This Fails | Redo HIFU, cryoablation, surgery, or radiation | Redo cryoablation, HIFU, surgery, or radiation | Radiation (salvage RT) | Surgery or focal therapy in a radiated field is harder and morbid |
| Anterior Tumors | Limited — ultrasound penetration is shallow | Excellent — cryoprobes reach anterior gland | Excellent | Excellent |
| Best For | Posterior, mid-gland, MRI-visible lesions in smaller prostates | Anterior lesions, larger prostates, salvage after radiation | Higher-grade disease, younger men wanting definitive pathology | Men who prefer non-surgical; cases where surgery is high-risk |
| Insurance / Medicare Coverage | Inconsistent — increasingly covered | Yes — covered by Medicare and major commercial insurers | Yes — covered | Yes — covered |
Figures above are typical published ranges. Your individual risk depends on your cancer, anatomy, prior treatments, and baseline 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.
Contact the Practice