Who may be considered
- Localized, image-visible or accurately mapped clinically significant cancer
- Disease distribution suitable for an adequate treatment margin
- Men prioritizing tissue preservation who accept close follow-up
Targeted prostate cancer treatment
Focal Cryotherapy
Image-guided freezing of the cancer-bearing portion of the prostate, with the intent of controlling clinically significant disease while reducing injury to uninvolved tissue.
Treat the target, preserve the remainder.
Transperineal cryoprobes
Real-time ultrasound monitoring
Structured surveillance afterward
Clinical experience since 2007
More than 2,000focal and whole-gland prostate cryotherapy procedures performed
Dr. Al Barqawi is one of the most experienced prostate cryotherapy surgeons in the United States. His prospective research has evaluated cancer control, urinary outcomes, sexual function and treatment safety.
At a glance
What it is
Thin cryoprobes are placed through the perineum under ultrasound guidance. Repeated freeze–thaw cycles create an ice ball around the planned treatment zone and destroy tissue within it. Temperature monitoring and warming of the urethra help protect nearby structures.
Focal treatment does not remove or treat the entire gland. Accurate localization and confidence that clinically significant disease is limited to a treatable region are therefore essential.
Approach
Focal ablation
Setting
Usually outpatient
Follow-up
PSA, MRI and repeat biopsy
From Dr. Barqawi’s YouTube channel
Cryoprobe procedure
This brief procedure clip is published by Dr. Barqawi. It demonstrates cryoprobe placement and is provided for education; an individual treatment plan may be focal or whole-gland.
Potential benefits
- Less prostate tissue treated than whole-gland therapy
- Outpatient, minimally invasive approach
- May reduce urinary and sexual toxicity for appropriately selected men
Risks and limits
- Urinary irritation, retention, infection or bleeding
- Erectile dysfunction, urethral injury, stricture or rare fistula
- Untreated or recurrent cancer can remain elsewhere in the prostate
Evidence & follow-up
Surveillance remains part of treatment.
Focal cryotherapy has encouraging medium-term cancer-control and functional results in selected men, but randomized comparative and long-term data are less mature than for prostatectomy or radiation. Follow-up generally includes PSA testing, MRI and a planned repeat biopsy.
Is focal treatment appropriate?
Candidacy depends on pathology, MRI, biopsy mapping, tumor position, prostate anatomy and personal priorities.
Contact the clinicGeneral education only. Treatment suitability, risks and outcomes vary by patient.