Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy:
Common Side Effects
Prostate cancer cryotherapy (cryosurgery) freezes the entire prostate gland through a minimally invasive procedure involving ultrathin cryoneedles. Side effects usually occur due to damage of the surrounding tissue during the procedure. The severity and occurrence of side effects are largely affected by the relative health of a patient as well as whether cryosurgery is a primary or salvage treatment option. The advent of the minimally-invasive ultrathin cryoneedles and more precise imaging techniques has greatly decreased the occurrence of many side effects, with the exception of impotence.
After undergoing prostate cancer cryotherapy, some patients may experience the following side effects:
Swelling in the Genital Area after Cryosurgery
The entry of the needles through perineum (the skin and muscles between the scrotum and anus) causes irritation and inflammation. Many physicians will recommend using ice packs on the affected area or beginning a regimen of over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drug.
Scrotal Edema
A more severe complication, scrotal edema occurs when fluid collects in the scrotum. Proper evaluation most be performed by a doctor so that proper course of treatment may be chosen.
Irritation during Urination
Many men will experience itching or burning while urinating after undergoing prostate cryosurgery. Symptoms usually will dissipate in a few days. Some men will also experience urgency. Speak with your physician if symptoms worsen after a few days.
Hematuria: Blood in the Urine
Many men will experience blood in the urine (hematuria) after undergoing prostate cryotherapy. There are two types of hematuria, gross and microscopic. Gross hematuria is visible to the naked eye. If bleeding persists past a few days, please speak with your physician.
Urethral sloughing and Urinary Obstruction
The passage of dead tissue through the urethra, urethral sloughing occurs when the urethra is damaged during the cryotherapy. Fortunately, the use of a warming catheter has greatly decreased the occurrence of urethral sloughing. Severe cases of sloughing cause urinary obstruction and require medical treatment. Men who have undergone transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or another prostate cancer treatment, such as external radiation therapy, are at higher risk for urethral sloughing.
Urethro-Rectal Fistula
One of the more serious and rarer side effects is urethro-rectal fistula. Urethro-recto fistula occurs when an unnatural channel forms between the urethra, which carries urine or ejaculate out of the body, and the rectum, which holds fecal matter prior to defecation. This channel allows materials from one part of the body to pass into another. The results can include diarrhea or urinary tract infections. New techniques in prostate cryosurgery have lead to decrease in fistula. The warming catheter and the ultrathin, precise cryoneedles have contributed to the decrease of the occurrence of fistula.
Other Side Effects
Other side effects include impotence and incontinence. Prostate cryotherapy entails relatively low rates of incontinence after the catheter is removed. To read more about incontinence, please click here. Cryotherapy is associated with higher rates of impotence, which is the ability of maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse. To read more about impotence, please click here.
Prostate Cryotherapy Side Effects
Impotence
Incontinence
Prostate Cancer Treatment Overview
Coping with Prostate Cancer
Are You at Risk for Prostate Cancer?
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