This technique uses freezing to kill the prostate cancer cells. The procedure is done under a general anaesthetic and takes a couple of hours. Needles containing gas (argon or helium) are introduced into the prostate using an ultrasound probe in the back passage to guide the way. A computer is used to control the temperature, which will get as low as -140°C, to make sure that the water passage and back passage are not damaged by getting too cold.
Side effects can include impotence, incontinence, constipation and bleeding in the water and back passage. This procedure is not routinely available in all centres that treat prostate cancer and are relatively new, with less data available compared with older treatment methods about their efficacy and side effects. Funding has recently been approved for a national service for cryotherapy in Scotland to be based in Glasgow.
 |