Focal cryoablation: a treatment option for unilateral low-risk prostate cancer.

Objectives To assess oncological (biochemical and histological recurrence) and functional (urinary and potency) outcomes in patients with unilateral low-risk organ-confined prostate cancer ( PCa) treated with focal cryoablation ( FC)., Patients and Methods From January 2009 to March 2012, patients with localized PCa who refused active surveillance were assigned to a FC protocol., This was a prospective, single-arm cohort study. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral disease, clinical stage T1c to T2a, prostate-specific antigen ( PSA) concentration <10 ng/mL, low volume index lesion and Gleason score ≤6 (3+3). Hemi-ablation was carried out using the PreciseTM cryoablation system (Galil Medical, Inc., Arden Hills, MN, USA)., Oncological ( PSA values) and functional (International Prostate Symptom Score and International Index of Erectile Function ( IIEF)-5 score) outcomes were analysed at 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up., The primary endpoint for oncological efficacy, no cancer in ipsilateral side, was based on the 12-month mandatory biopsy., Results A total of 48 consecutive patients with a mean age of 67 years were included. The median (interquartile range) follow-up was 13.2 (7.4-26.5) months., Follow-up prostate biopsies were negative for the treated lobe in 86% of patients., The mean PSA concentration dropped significantly at 3 months (by 55%) but did not correlate well with positive biopsy results., Urinary symptoms were unchanged. A slight decrease in the IIEF-5 score was present at 3 months, but did not differ significantly from baseline at 6-month follow-up., There were 15% grade 1 and 4% grade 2 complications ( Clavien classification)., Conclusions Focal cryoablation is a low-morbidity option in selected patients with low-risk PCa., We showed PSA concentration to be an unreliable marker for monitoring FC and recommend a protocol of mandatory biopsies for follow-up., A multicentre randomized controlled trial is necessary to confirm the low-morbidity and the biopsy-proven PCa cure rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]