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Focal Cryoablation Anyone have it done?

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Posted 10/21/2022 11:46 PM (GMT 0)

Cryoablation
Anyone have this therapy? Seriously considering. Maybe SBRT.
I’ve been offered this treatment.
PSA 7.48
Stage 1
GS 7
Thank you
Scott

Post Edited (Cayman1) : 10/22/2022 2:30:00 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 10/22/2022 2:32 AM (GMT 0)
it's not very common. as i recall it used to be called iceballs. if i were being treated today with a mono-therapy SBRT would be my first choice. see my signature for my last choice...
Posted 10/22/2022 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I’m certainly no expert…just a low risk guy who chose SBRT. For low and most intermediate risk guys who have good urinary and sexual function and wish to keep it; I don’t know of a better monotherapy treatment choice than SBRT. My alternate choice would have been HDRBT. Best wishes. Terry
Posted 10/22/2022 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Stick with treatments that have long term verifiable high success rates over the long term, I’m pretty sure the cryobalation does not fall into that category.
With that said, I stopped researching what was the best treatment for a cure with the least potential for permanent side effects about 10 years ago
Posted 10/23/2022 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
A major problem with focal cryo is that small cancerous areas that can't be seen with scans will go untreated. These may well develop into problems in due time that will require further treatment.
SBRT will cover the whole prostate, maximizing the chance of long-term success.

From the AUA guidelines:
Clinicians should inform patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer considering whole gland or focal ablation that there are a lack of high-quality data comparing ablation outcomes to radiation therapy, surgery, and active surveillance. (Expert Opinion)

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 10/22/2022 7:09:42 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 10/27/2022 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
I did not have cryo but I did have HIFU which was successful for my 3+4 lesion. The catheter stayed in for 8 days after treatment but I had no pain at all. The day after it came out I went for an 8 hour walk. Also, no ongoing side effects like ED or incontinence. I do have to stay on active surveillance which for the first 5 years post treatment has been quarterly PSA and annual MRIs, but that’s part of the choice I made.

My suggestion is before you choose a focal therapy, get all the tests first: MRI, MRI fusion trans biopsy, Prolaris, PSMA Pet scan, and be sure to get a second opinion on the pathology by Epstein at John Hopkins. Be sure its not aggressive and treatable before researching any specific focal treatments. Besides cryotherapy there is HIFU and i have heard UCLA is doing focal brachytherapy.
Posted 10/27/2022 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
I would agree with most of what’s been said here, cryo is not a commonly used treatment and I think there is just not enough data that shows it’s effectiveness. At least from what I’ve seen.
Posted 10/30/2022 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
I looked at it closely and talked to a couple of doctors about it. I felt that it carried a higher risk for male plumbing problems versus unclear rewards. In retrospect I made a good decision for my situation.
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