Results of a large cryosurgery trial

UroToday – Outcomes of Cryotherapy for Prostate Cancer

beige_quote.bmpThe mean follow-up was 20 months. A total of 4% of patients who were continent pre-procedure were incontinent after therapy. A total of 39% of patients reported being potent pre-treatment and all men were impotent immediately after cryotherapy. The probability for a man potent prior to treatment to regain his ability to have intercourse with or without PDE-5 inhibitor assistance at 1, 2, and 4 years was 29%, 49%, and 51%, respectively. Nearly 80% of men achieved a PSA nadir of less than 0.4ng/mlwith a 4-year biochemical freedom from disease rate of 80%. In those experiencing disease failures, the mean time to failure was 4.2 months. Of 168 patients who underwent a prostate biopsy, 10% had CaP at a mean of 10 months after treatment.


I wonder if the way the penile rehabilitation is done is the best way, but I will blog on my thoughts later on penile rehabilitation.
This was a relatively large study. A 10% failure rate on biopsy is rather high, as it likely underestimates the true persistence of cancer.