Cryotherapy as a Treatment for Prostate Cancer
Cryotherapy has recently been adapted for use on prostate cancer. Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery or cryoablation, uses a probe that delivers argon gas or liquid nitrogren to the prostate. This argon gas or liquid nitrogren freezes the prostate cells and tumor cells to the point of death, thereby killing the cancer. Advancements have been made to avoid freezing neighboring organs and tissue, but the procedure is still risky and sometimes leaves patients with erectile or urination dysfuction. Currently the data on long-term side effects are limited. Thus, this method is not widely recommended at this stage. This method of treatment is mainly utilized as a secondary therapy for men who previous underwent radiation therapy. However, the science of cryotherapy remains a possibility for the future treatment of prostate cancer.
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06.23.2006.
Important Info
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