Nigeria has recorded a major milestone in cancer treatment with the introduction of artificial- intelligence–driven focal therapy for prostate cancer by The Prostate Clinic (TPC), a technology that can eradicate cancer without surgery, pain or loss of sexual function.

The new system, based on high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), has been deployed in Lagos under the leadership of Prof. Kingsley Ekwueme, marking what experts describe as a turning point for men’s health in the country.

TPC was established by Ekwueme, a UK-trained robotic and laparoscopic surgeon pioneering advanced, minimally invasive prostate cancer and enlargement treatments in Nigeria. The HIFU system follows earlier introductions of robotic surgery and minimally invasive treatment for enlarged prostate this year by the hospital.

Ekwueme said: “The high-intensity focused ultrasound scan delivers ultrasound energy into the prostate and kills prostate cancer specifically where it has been identified. This is my Christmas present to Nigeria.”

And we are not done yet.”

Unlike conventional surgery, he explained that the HIFU system does not require cutting or removal of the prostate. Instead, it uses advanced imaging and artificial intelligence to target only cancerous tissue, preserving the rest of the gland.

“It’s a fully automated machine with artificial intelligence. Once you feed in the information about where the cancer is, you just click one button and the treatment is delivered. You sit back and watch it happen,” Ekwueme explained.

Giving insights into how the machine works, he said: “As treatment progresses, real-time colour changes on the screen indicate when the cancer has been completely eradicated. Once it’s done, the machine switches itself off and the patient is cured,” he said.

He said patients are discharged the same day. “There is no cut, no pain. You can have it in the morning and by evening you’re back home enjoying yourself.”