Alternative names

Cryotherapy, cryosurgery

What is cryoablation?

Cryoablation is a focal therapy often used to treat prostate cancer. Focal therapy is a treatment approach that targets and destroys only the tumor or diseased area and spares as much surrounding healthy tissue as possible. Cryoablation uses a series of needles placed through the skin to administer temperatures exceeding -40 degrees Celsius. These extreme temperatures freeze and destroy cancer cells. With no incisions required, cryoablation is commonly done as an outpatient procedure. Cryoablation poses less risk of damaging surrounding critical areas than other treatments.

Cryoablation for prostate cancer

Cryoablation is a common focal therapy treatment for prostate cancer. It can be used as a first-line option or for recurring cancer following radiation treatment. Cryoablation preserves surrounding healthy tissue and vital structures, such as the:

• Urethra
• Rectum
• Nerves involved in erectile function
• Muscles involved in bladder control

Cryoablation poses less risk of damaging surrounding critical areas than other treatments. It minimizes side effects like erectile dysfunction.

Benefits of cryoablation for prostate cancer

The main benefits of focal cryoablation in treating prostate cancer include:

• Lower risk of damage to healthy tissue
• Lower risk of side effects, including erectile dysfunction and incontinence
• Reduced pain as cold acts as an anesthetic to the surrounding tissue
• Safer for patients who are not candidates for general anesthesia

Focal cryoablation can also be used in the treatment of other cancers, including:

• Breast cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Skin cancer
• Retinoblastoma

Cryoablation can also be used as prevention by treating abnormal cells to prevent cancer from developing.

What to expect during treatment

Cryoablation is administered using specialized needles called cryoprobes. Using real-time imaging for guidance, your care team focuses on precise locations. The cryoprobes are inserted through the skin of the perineum into these locations. The cryoprobes deliver extremely low temperatures to those locations.

Depending on the patient needs, focal cryoablation may be done under either general or local anesthesia.

What to expect following treatment

Though recovery can vary, patients are typically able to return to work within 24 hours with little to no downtime.