Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy
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Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy
Mark Vogel (Board Certified Urologist) gives expert video advice on: What is 'prostate cryotherapy'?; Who is eligible to receive prostate cryotherapy?; What are the advantages and disadvantages of prostate cryotherapy?
What is 'prostate cryotherapy'?
Cryotherapy involves inserting hollow needles into the prostate under ultrasound guidance and instilling liquid nitrogen to freeze the prostate tissue. The hope with this treatment is that the cancer cells will be killed.
Who is eligible to receive prostate cryotherapy?
Generally, <a href="http://www.videojug.com/interview/cryotherapy-2">cryotherapy</a> is used for men who are not a candidate for other more traditional treatments, such as surgery or radiation, or who have failed previous treatments such as radiation, or as an adjunct to some of the other treatments.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of prostate cryotherapy?
The advantages of cryotherapy is that it is less invasive than surgery or radiation. The disadvantages can be local effects or complications such as fistulas or loss of sexual function. Fistulas are an abnormal connection between healthy tissues and other structures.