In cryotherapy the prostate is frozen solid under ultrasound guidance to control the extent of the freeze, this being especially important to attempt to avoid damage to the adjacent rectum. The procedure is done under anesthesia and requires an overnight stay in the hospital. There is as yet no long term survival data on cryotherapy. The ultimate significance of a positive biopsy is not known. The most serious complication of cryotherapy is development of fistula between the rectum and the prostate, but this is unusual.
Most patients have some short-term local swelling and pain.
The incidence of incontinence after cryotherapy compares to surgery and the incidence of impotence to brachytherapy. Operators are standing by.