Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
05:19
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
1.1K
Dystrophic calcification of the prostate after cryotherapy
Christopher Dru1, Leon Bender1
1Cedars-Sinai Urology Academic Practice, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8635 West 3rd Street, Suite 1070, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Case Reports in Urology
|December 31, 2014
Summary
A rare complication of prostate cryotherapy is dystrophic calcification, leading to urinary issues. This case highlights the need for awareness of this potential challenge in prostate cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Prostate cryotherapy is increasingly used for localized prostate cancer.
- Complications of prostate cryotherapy are not fully documented.
- Dystrophic calcification is a pathological process involving calcium deposits in damaged tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a previously undocumented complication of prostate cryotherapy: dystrophic calcification.
- To describe the clinical presentation and management of this complication.
- To raise awareness among clinicians regarding this potential issue.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 87-year-old male patient.
- Presentation with recurrent lower urinary tract infections.
- Diagnosis of an obstructing calcified mass in the prostate.
- Management via transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and laser lithotripsy.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction due to a large prostatic calcification.
- Surgical intervention (TURP and laser lithotripsy) was required to remove the calculus.
- The calcification was presumed to be a result of chronic inflammation and necrosis post-cryotherapy.
Conclusions:
- Dystrophic calcification of the prostate is a potential, previously undocumented complication following cryotherapy.
- This complication can lead to significant lower urinary tract symptoms and obstruction.
- Clinicians should be aware of this possibility as prostate cryotherapy use expands, considering the technical challenges in management.
