Who may be considered
- Selected localized prostate cancers
- Local recurrence after radiation without distant spread
- Men for whom surgery or additional radiation is less suitable
Whole-prostate ablation
Whole-Gland Cryotherapy
Image-guided freezing of the entire prostate for selected men with localized disease or cancer recurring after radiation.
Broader treatment of the gland.
Primary or salvage setting
Transperineal probe placement
No radiation exposure
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
How it differs from focal cryotherapy
The procedural principles are similar—cryoprobes create controlled freeze zones under ultrasound guidance—but the treatment plan covers the whole prostate rather than only a selected lesion and margin.
Because more tissue is treated, whole-gland cryotherapy generally carries a higher risk of erectile dysfunction and other urinary effects than focal treatment. It may also be considered as salvage therapy after radiation in selected cases.
Approach
Whole-prostate ablation
Setting
Usually outpatient
Common use
Primary or salvage
From Dr. Barqawi’s YouTube channel
How prostate cryotherapy works
This brief procedure clip is published by Dr. Barqawi. It demonstrates cryoprobe placement; the number and arrangement of probes are individualized to the planned treatment field.
Potential benefits
- Minimally invasive whole-gland treatment
- Usually a short hospital stay or outpatient recovery
- Can be used in selected salvage situations
Risks and limits
- Erectile dysfunction is common after whole-gland treatment
- Urinary irritation, retention, infection, stricture or incontinence
- Rare but serious rectourethral fistula; recurrence remains possible
Decision point
Focal and whole-gland therapy answer different questions.
Whole-gland cryotherapy treats a wider field and may suit men with more extensive localized disease. Focal therapy treats less tissue but depends on accurate disease localization and requires continued surveillance of the untreated prostate.
Discuss the appropriate treatment field.
The choice between focal, whole-gland and other established treatments depends on disease distribution, risk and priorities.
Contact the clinicGeneral education only. Treatment suitability, risks and outcomes vary by patient.