PROSTATE
CANCER CRYOTHERAPY
Cryosurgery Procedures
The Benefits of Cryosurgical
Ablation Treatment
Cryosurgery patients are often able
to make a quick recovery from prostate cancer.
Compared to other prostate cancer treatments,
cryosurgery
enable patients to resume a normal quality of
life within a matter of weeks. Patients treated
with cryosurgery
are often able to return home after only one night
in the hospital. The procedure only takes about
two hours and a general anesthesia is less commonly
used.
Cryotherapy Side Effects
During the procedure, it is necessary to ensure
the destruction of all cancerous tissues. Some
instances may require the need to freeze tissue
beyond the prostate. While the procedure focuses
solely on the prostate gland, other areas may
be affected and cryosurgery
side effects may result. The severity of cryoablation
side effects is affected by the patient’s overall
health and if cryosurgery was the primary or salvage
treatment option. Also, unlike other prostate
cancer treatment options, cryosurgery can be repeated
if necessary.
Some patients may experience the following prostate cancer treatment side effects:
Swelling of the penis or scrotum. The gland swells, preventing urine from leaving the bladder. As a result, a catheter is often required for a couple of weeks until swelling subsides. The perineum (the area between the anus and scrotum) may also swell or feel sore. Physicians will recommend applying ice to the affected areas. A more severe swelling of the scrotum, scrotal edema, may also occur. This complication happens when extra fluid collects in the scrotum.
Freezing may affect the bladder and intestines, which can lead to pain, burning sensations, and the need to empty the bladder often. Most men recover normal bladder function in a matter of weeks. Doctors may also prescribe some medication for bladder spasms. Many men will also experience blood in the urine. These side effects should only persist for a few days.
Any damage to the urethra from the cryosurgery
freezing may cause obstruction or sloughing of
the urethra. This side effect has been greatly
decreased with the use of a warming catheter during
the prostate cancer treatment process to protect
the urethra from freezing.
In very rare cases, a fistula, an unnatural
join between two hollow organs, occurs between
the rectum and urethra. The fistula occurs as
a result of tissue damage from freezing. This
allows urine to leak into the rectum and may require
surgery to repair. This rare side effect affects
about one percent of cryosurgery
patients.
Quality of Life Side Effects of Cryosurgery
Incontinence, the accidental leakage of urine, is rare in men who have cryosurgery as their first treatment and more common for those who have already had radiation therapy. With cryosurgical treatment, the number of men who experience this side effect is much lower than other treatments.
Impotence
is the main risk associated with side effects
of cryosurgery. Impotence is the inability to
maintain an erection. The freezing process during
cryosurgery may affect nerve bundles near the
prostate that are associated with an erection.
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