Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Transperineal Cryoablation in the Treatment of Prostate Carcinoma

PURPOSE: We studied ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoablation for treatment of prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our series includes 83 individuals who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal percutaneous cryoablation of the prostate. Prostate specific antigen levels, biopsy results and complications were assessed at 3 months. RESULTS: Of 61 biopsies 8 (13.1%) were positive for carcinoma (half showed stage D disease). Of patients with stages T1 to T3 cancer 92.6% were free of disease at 3 months. Prostate specific antigen levels were significantly decreased by an average of 1.90 ng./ml. (p < 0.05). Major complications were infrequent, including bladder perforation in 1 patient, urethral strictures in 3, bladder outlet obstruction in 2 and partial incontinence in 2. Impotence was frequent but transient. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal percutaneous cryoablation of the prostate produces few major complications and appears at 3 months to be effective in eradicating local prostate tumors. Longer followup is required to test the original hypothesis.