PROSTATE TREATMENT

Cryosurgery

Clark Memorial Hospital offered a new treatment option to increase 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.”

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 goes to 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 their 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.

Radiation Oncology Services

The Southern Indiana Radiation Oncology Center (SIROC) offers patients state-of-the-art radiotherapy services with attention to personal care. SIROC provides treatment planning, external beam therapy, and brachytherapy for patients with a wide variety of malignant diagnoses and a limited number of nonmalignant conditions.

SIROC utilizes the latest technology in cancer treatments, including a Varian 2100C linear accelerator, Ximatron treatment simulator, and 3-D enhanced treatment planning software.

The highly skilled team of certified professionals administers treatments under the supervision of Dr. Frederick H. Albrink, certified radiation oncologist for Clark Memorial Hospital. Dr. Albrink, a diplomat to the American Board of Radiology in Radiation Oncology, has been a pioneer in the use of permanent seed implants for the treatment of prostate cancer.