Review of primary and salvage cryoablation for prostate cancer

Cryosurgery has gained popularity as a minimally invasive treatment option for primary and recurrent prostate cancer. Herein we present a review and summary reports on primary cryoablation for prostate cancer and salvage cryoablation following radiation failure.

We reviewed the current published literature in the English language on these topics, along with some historic articles dating back to the 1960s for background and development of the procedure. The material is supplemented by some commentary based on our own 13-year experience with cryoablation for prostate cancer. The review is divided into two sections: primary and salvage cryoablation.

For primary cryoablation, success rates are proportional to the risk categories of the primary cancers. A pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 10 ng/mL and post-cryoablation nadir PSA > 1 ng/mL for salvage procedures. Side effects are more prevalent and serious than with primary cryoablation but for carefully selected patients, the long-term results are favorable.

Patient selection is the key to success with cryoablation, in both the primary and salvage setting. The modality can offer long-term cancer control in carefully selected patient with properly executed techniques.