Prostate Cryosurgery

• ‘Cryo’ means cold or freezing
• ‘Ablation’ means to destroy tissue

Put together, the word cryoablation refers to a treatment for prostate cancer that uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. Your doctor may use the term cryosurgery instead of cryoablation to point out that it’s done in the operating room with anesthesia.

These terms describe the same treatment: freezing prostate tissue to kill cancer cells while sparing as much healthy tissue as possible.

The goal of cryoablation is to freeze the prostate tissue until the cancer cells die.

During the procedure, thin metal probes are inserted through the skin between the scrotum and anus into the prostate gland. A special gas flows through the probes, creating an ice ball that freezes and kills the tissue.

Cryoablation is not usually the first-line treatment for most men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. It tends to be reserved for select situations or when other options haven’t worked. Your doctor may recommend it in certain situations, such as:

• An initial treatment if the cancer is confined to the prostate and you are not a candidate for surgery or radiation
• If cancer comes back after radiation therapy and is still limited to the prostate
• When other health conditions make surgery too risky

When cryoablation for prostate cancer is performed, you’ll either be asleep or awake but numb from the waist down. Once the anesthesia is in place, your doctor will:

• Insert an ultrasound probe into the rectum to guide the procedure.
• Place a catheter in the urethra, filled with a warming solution to keep it from freezing.
• Insert several thin probes through the area between the scrotum and anus, called the perineum, and into the prostate.
• Gases are used to create ice inside the prostate tissue. The process uses ultrasound to ensure it targets the cancer while sparing the bladder, rectum, and nearby tissues.

Most men go home the same day, and a catheter usually stays in place to allow healing. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.

In the days after treatment, it’s common to have:

• Soreness or bruising where the probes were placed
• Blood in the urine
• Temporary difficulty emptying the bladder or bowels

These side effects usually improve with time. If you develop fever, chills, or trouble urinating, you should contact your doctor right away.

Cryoablation, like other medical procedures, carries some risks.

• Erectile dysfunction is the most common long-term issue
• Pain or swelling of the scrotum and penis
• Temporary bladder control problems
• Bleeding or infection in the treated area
• Injury to the rectum

After cryoablation, regular follow-up is essential. You’ll have PSA blood tests, physical exams, and sometimes imaging scans to see how well the cancer responds to treatment.

Cryosurgery is a minimally invasive way to treat prostate cancer. It may be considered when surgery or radiation isn’t an option, or if the cancer comes back after treatment.

1. How long will I need a catheter after cryoablation?

Most men need a catheter for about two weeks while the prostate heals. Your doctor will let you know when it’s safe to remove it.

2. Is cryoablation painful?

During the procedure, you’ll have anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain. Afterward, some soreness or bruising in the treatment area is common, but this usually improves within a few days.

3. Can cryoablation be repeated if the cancer comes back?

In some cases, yes. Cryosurgery can be repeated or combined with other treatments if prostate cancer returns. Your doctor will consider the location, size of the recurrence, and your overall health before deciding.

All of our providers perform prostate cryosurgery.