title: Application of cryoablation in the management of prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radical prostatectomy is the most common and effective therapy for localized prostate cancer. But in addition to its surgical complications, even highly selected series carry a positive margin rate of 35 to 50%. Radiotherapy is another alternative for prostate cancer, but following radiotherapy there have been high positive biopsies reported. Cryosurgery, defined as in situ freezing and hence, devitalization of neoplastic tissues, has currently raised the interest of urologists in the management of localized prostate cancer or failed radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five patients underwent transperineal cryosurgery of prostate in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Among them, three cases were stage D, one stage B and another failed radiotherapy of stage C prostate cancer. All patients received hormone therapy too.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PSA declined in 3 patients and biopsies showed intraductal neoplasia. All 5 patients suffered from urine incontinence and one persisted. No mortality has been reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryoablation of the prostate is an alternative for treatment of prostate cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Chuang
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: H W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Y J
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*