Salvage cryotherapy

A second chance when prostate cancer comes back after radiation treatment

Each year, at least 25% of prostate cancer patients who have had some form of radiation treatment find that their cancer comes back, or recurs.¹ Because radiation therapy can cause tissues around the prostate gland to harden (calcify [KAL-si-fy]) or shrink, further treatment needs careful consideration. Additional treatment after one unsuccessful treatment is also known as salvage treatment.

Salvage surgery (radical prostatectomyRadical prostatectomy: surgery to remove the entire prostate.) becomes a challenging procedure with a high risk of side effects, high complication rates, and prolonged hospital stays.^2,3

Salvage cryotherapy offers a second chance for men with recurrent prostate cancer after radiation therapy, as long as the cancer hasn’t spread beyond the prostate.

If you have previously received any form of radiation therapy for your prostate cancer and your PSA level is rising, it is important to talk to your doctor right away and ask if you’re a candidate for salvage cryotherapy.

References

1. Pisters LL, Rewcastle JC, Donnelly BJ, Lugnani FM, Katz AE, Jones JS. Salvage prostate cryoablation: initial results from the cryo online data registry. J Urol. 2008;180:559-64. DOI:10.1016/j.juro.2008.04.005.
2. Ghafar MA, Johnson CW, De La Taille A, et al. Salvage cryotherapy using an argon based system for locally recurrent prostate cancer after radiation: the Columbia experience. J Urol. 2001;166(4):1337-8.
3. Mouraviev V, Spiess PE, Jones JS. Salvage cryoablation for locally recurrent prostate cancer following primary radiotherapy. Eur Urol. 2012;61(6):1204-11.