Candidates. Cryosurgery may be considered for patients with:
- Early stage local cancer
- Cancer that has recurred after radiation treatments
- Large primary tumors that the surgeon wishes to reduce
- Possibly tumors that have spread beyond the prostate if they have not yet reached the lymph nodes
Strong indicators of treatment failure include:
- A history of both hormonal and radiation treatments
- Tumor grades 8 and above
- PSA levels of more than 10 ng/mL
Complications. Complications are similar to those of standard prostatectomy, but incontinence rates are much lower. Impotence rates, however, are much higher. Nevertheless, 96% of patients report that they are satisfied with the results. Incontinence and other side effects may be higher in patients who have had previous radiation treatments. Other significant complications include scarring and narrowing of the urethra and fistulas (abnormal passages from internal organs to the skin or between two internal organs).
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