If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may be wondering about some of the newest treatments available.  One that’s been getting some serious press is cryosurgery, one of the latest means of treating (and potentially eradicating) cancer.

Cryosurgery, as the name implies, involves freezing body parts.  Cold metal “probes” are inserted into prostate gland via incisions in the scrotum and/or anus.  Gases are then pumped through the probes, creating an instant freeze which destroys the prostate gland and, consequently, the prostate cancer within the gland.

Though not recommended for men with enlarged prostates, cryosurgery has had some good results in males whose prostate cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland.  This procedure is done under general or local anesthesia, and a hospital stay of approximately one day is usually required.  To ensure that bladder function remains viable during and after the cryosurgery procedure, a catheter is inserted so that urine can be moved out of the body.  (The catheter is removed a few weeks after the cryosurgery has occurred.)

Patients who have opted for cryosurgery treatment in response to their prostate cancers have reported soreness and bruising in the vicinity of their rectums and scrotum.  Sometimes, blood may be present in the urine stream for a few days after the procedure.  Finally, the penis and scrotum sometimes become swollen post-cryosurgery.  However, it’s generally a less invasive method of treating prostate cancer than traditional surgery or radiation options.

Of course, there are absolutely side effects to cryosurgery, as with any medical procedure.  For instance, nerve damage can sometimes result from the freezing implements used during the procedure.  This damage can even lead to incontinence or impotence in some patients.  And some men have reported a burning sensation in the vicinity of the cryosurgery after the operation has long since ended.

However, if you want an alternative to radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery, you may find that cryosurgery is the perfect option for you.  Discuss it with your physician to best determine whether prostate cancer cryosurgery is a good fit.

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