Patient-reported complications after cryoablation therapy for prostate cancer

Objectives. To define the patient-reported complications after cryoablation therapy for prostate cancer and to compare these results to previously published patient-reported complications for radical prostatectomy and external beam irradiation. Methods. A questionnaire similar to previously published patient-reported complication studies was sent to the first 290 patients treated by cryoablation therapy at our institution. The questionnaire was returned by 267 patients. Forty-four patients were excluded from analysis because of prior irradiation, transurethral prostatectomy, or cryoablation, resulting in a study group of 223 patients. Results. Of the 208 patients with good urinary control preoperatively, 9 (4.3%) patients used incontinence pads after cryoablation. Seven of the 8 patients who used one pad daily reported leakage of only a few drops. Impotency, defined as an inability to obtain erections adequate for vaginal penetration, occurred in 85% of men who were potent preoperatively. Urethrorectal fistula occurred in 1 patient (0.4%). Bladder outlet obstruction caused by stricture or sloughed necrotic prostatic tissue required dilation or transurethral resection in 10% of patients. Scrotal swelling, penile tingling, and pelvic pain occurred in 18%, 15%, and 12% of patients, respectively; typically, these resolved spontaneously within 3 months. Conclusions, Patient-reported complications for cryoablation compared favorably to those reported for radical prostatectomy and external beam irradiation. Patient satisfaction was high; 96% of patients reported that they would choose cryosurgery as a treatment option again. (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc.