New Procedure Available in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer
The American male has a 16 percent chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. It is a disease that will account for more than 37,000 deaths and is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. It is exceeded only by lung cancer.
A new treatment option is available, increasing the choices men have to treat prostate cancer. Targeted cryosurgery is a minimally invasive treatment of prostate cancer that has most men back to a normal lifestyle within five to seven days. The procedure can be a primary treatment of prostate cancer or a backup treatment, if internal radiation treatments were not able to eradicate the cancer.
“Targeted cryosurgery is most effective for patients with localized cancer of the prostate gland,” said Dr. James Bailen, urologist at Clark Memorial Hospital. “The treatment is not only less invasive than traditional procedures but it also involves minimal blood loss and offers a faster recovery.”
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that affects the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized organ, located below the bladder and behind the base of the penis. It surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
The incidence of prostate cancer has risen steadily over the last several years, explains Dr. Bailen. The disease is a major health concern for men age 50 or older, those that have a family history of the disease, and African-American men.
“Prior to targeted cryosurgery, physicians commonly treated prostate cancer by removing the prostate gland, or through radiation therapy or seed implants,” said Dr. Bailen. “Medical technology has brought about new procedures that allow the freezing of the prostate inside the body.”
During targeted cryosurgery, a thin catheter that circulates warm fluid is placed in the urethra to protect it from cold temperatures. Then, slender cryoprobes are inserted through the skin into the prostate gland. A liquefied argon gas contained within the cryoprobe tips freezes the cancer tissue. Once the tissue reaches –40 degrees Celsius, it is destroyed.
After about 10 minutes, the physician completes the first freezing cycle and then administers it again immediately to help ensure that all cancer cells are killed. The entire procedure takes one to two hours.
“After the procedure, the patient waits in recovery and then, depending on how he feels, he may go home or stay in the hospital overnight,” said Dr. Bailen. “Most men return to normal lifestyle within five to seven days, but should avoid strenuous activities.”
Some patients may experience minor soreness for two to three days following targeted cryosurgery, which is a normal side effect of all surgical prostate cancer treatments, says Dr. Bailen.
The procedure does have the potential for long-term side effects that are similar to other therapies in treating prostate cancer. Some men may experience impotence, bladder outlet obstruction, pelvic pain, chronic urgency, rectal injury, and incontinence.
For more information, call Metropolitan Urology at 282-3899.
About Us
• Vital Stats • Services
• Emergency
Staff • Calendar • Contacts • News
Births • Gift Shop • Careers • Links
HOME