Cryotherapy for partial gland ablation of prostate cancer: Oncologic and safety outcomes

BACKGROUND: Partial gland ablation (PGA) is a new option for treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). Cryotherapy, an early method of PGA, has had favorable evaluations, but few studies have employed a strict protocol using biopsy endpoints in men with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: 143 men with unilateral csPCa were enrolled in a prospective, observational trial of outpatient PGA‐cryotherapy. Treatment was a 2‐cycle freeze of the affected prostate part. Participants were evaluated with MRI‐guided biopsy (MRGB) at baseline and at 6 months and 18 months after treatment. Absence of csPCa upon MRGB was the primary endpoint; quality‐of‐life at baseline and at 6 months after treatment was assessed by EPIC‐CP questionnaires in the domains of urinary and sexual function. RESULTS: Of the 143 participants, 136 (95%) completed MRGB at 6 months after treatment. In 103/136 (76%), the biopsy revealed no csPCa. Of the 103, 71 subsequently had an 18‐month comprehensive biopsy; of the 71 with 18‐month biopsies, 46 (65%) were found to have no csPCa. MRI lesions became undetectable in 96/130 (74%); declines in median serum PSA levels (6.9 to 2.5 ng/mL), PSA density (0.15 to 0.07), and prostate volume (42 to 34cc) were observed (all p < 0.01). Neither lesion disappearance on MRI nor PSA decline correlated with biopsy outcome. Urinary function was affected only slightly and sexual function moderately. CONCLUSION: In the near to intermediate term, partial gland ablation with cryotherapy was found to be a safe and moderately effective treatment of intermediate‐risk prostate cancer. Eradication of cancer was better determined by MRI‐guided biopsy than by MRI or PSA.