Prostate cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is a recognized treatment option for prostate cancer both in the primary and salvage settings. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on cryotherapy for prostate cancer including elements of cryobiology, complications, oncological, and functional outcomes of primary and salvage cryoablation of the prostate. Cryotherapy in the primary setting appears to have a low morbidity profile, apart from erectile dysfunction, with most complications being transient and self-limiting. In the salvage setting, the rates of some adverse events are higher than in the primary setting but compare favorably with alternative salvage treatments. Biochemical disease-free outcomes remain challenging to summarize for both primary and salvage cryoablation due to widespread variability in the patient selection and recurrence criterion used. However, as long term outcomes (cancer-specific, metastasis-free, and overall survival) begin to mature, promising results emerge in carefully selected patients. Further work remains to be done in refining candidate selection criteria and defining long term oncological and functional outcomes. Cryotherapy for prostate cancer is an established technique, supported by favorable results, but in need of further high quality data.

Duke Scholars

Author Thomas James Polascik Urology