Impotence is a major complication with all forms of treatment for prostate cancer. Another serious complication after cryosurgery is rectal fistula formation. These complications were seen most frequently in patients who had already been radiated prior to cryosurgery. The complication rate was highest in first 50 patients. This is likely due to the learning curve associated with this complex procedure.
Cryosurgery appears to be more effective than current standard treatment options.
The complication rate was also lower in this series. It is also a promising modality in patients who are radiation therapy failures. Long term follow-up is still lacking with this proceedure. Unfortunately, it will take about five to ten year before we know the true efficacy of this treatment. A long term study is now in progress.