If you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your doctor will have talked about some of the various treatment options available. These may include cryotherapy—but what exactly is that?
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Cryotherapy is a treatment used in various cancers, including prostate cancer. The cancer cells in the body are frozen during a procedure called cryoablation where iceballs are fired into the cancer cells through hollow needles. It’s generally not used as a primary treatment for prostate cancer, but is used if the cancer returns after other treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation have been used.
The treatment may not be suitable for all prostate cancer patients, particularly those with enlarged prostates. For those who are eligible, the procedure is considered less invasive and patients experience a shorter recovery time than a prostatectomy. There are possible risks, including the chance of erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Find out more about cryotherapy for prostate cancer here.
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