Cryotherapy & Prostate Cancer | Ask a Prostate Expert, Mark Scholz, MD

PCRI's Alex and Dr. Mark Scholz discuss cryotherapy, a form of focal therapy (also known as partial-gland ablation) that uses argon gas to freeze a portion of the prostate gland. The treatment offers hope of achieving a cure with a lower risk of side effects than radical treatments (e.g. radical prostatectomy, radiation) but it requires favorable features and a skilled practitioner.

0:06 What's your opinion of cryotherapy? Cure rates with expert practitioners have been good. The procedure is usually used for partial gland ablation or "focal therapy" since whole gland ablation with cryotherapy has a nearly 100% rate of impotence. Dr. Duke Bahn, an interventional radiologist in Ventura, CA, performs cryotherapy with good results.

2:21 What is the risk of urethral blockage with cryotherapy? There is temporary swelling after the procedure which is why patients are given a catheter for a few days. There are no known cases of persistent urethral blockage.

2:58 Are there any other side effects of cryotherapy that patients should be aware of? The only common side effect is erectile dysfunction in a small number of men. There may be cases of unskilled practitioners freezing into the bladder or rectum which is a big problem.

3:50 How does cryotherapy compare to other forms of focal therapy? It's more important to consider the quality of the physicians delivering the treatment rather than the treatment itself.

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