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Prostate Cancer
Treatment Guide™

Treatment
Description
Prostate Cancer
Patient Profile
Prostate Cancer
Treatments
Prostate Cancer
Survival Rates
Prostate Cancer
Side Effects
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Cryosurgery &
Cryotherapy

Prostate Cryotherapy

Also called cryosurgery, this minimally invasive procedure uses needles to apply freezing gases to the prostate. Prostate Cryotherapy

Also called cryosurgery, this minimally invasive procedure uses needles to apply freezing gases to the prostate.

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Cryosurgery Patients

Cryosurgery is used for patients with localized cancer, external radiation recurrent cancer, Gleason scores under 6, or PSA levels under 10. Cryosurgery Patients

Cryosurgery is used for patients with localized cancer, external radiation recurrent cancer, Gleason scores under 6, or PSA levels under 10.

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Minimally Invasive Surgery

Cryosurgery takes about 2 hours with a possible overnight admission. Minimally Invasive
Surgery

Cryosurgery takes about 2 hours with a possible overnight admission.

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Cryosurgery
Survival Rates

Long-term clinical results are limited but promising. Cryosurgery
Survival Rates

Long-term clinical results are limited but promising.

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Cryosurgery
Side Effects

Side effects may include moderate pelvic pain, blood in urine, scrotal swelling, mild urinary urgency, and impotence. Cryosurgery
Side Effects

Side effects may include moderate pelvic pain, blood in urine, scrotal swelling, mild urinary urgency, and impotence.

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Prostate News

Click here for the latest news on Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy.Prostate News

Click here for the latest news on Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy.

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Cryosurgery &
Cryotherapy Videos

Click here to view Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy procedures. Cryosurgery &
Cryotherapy Videos

Click here to view Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy procedures.

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Cryosurgery &
Cryotherapy Experience


Click here to share your Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy experiences.Cryosurgery &
Cryotherapy Experience

Click here to share your Cryosurgery & Cryotherapy experiences.

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Brachytherapy

Chemotherapy

Hormone
Therapy

Radiation
Therapy

Prostatectomy

Robotic Prostatectomy

Watchful
Waiting

Complementary
and
Alternative Medicine

High Intensity
Focused
Ultrasound (HIFU)

Emerging Technologies

 

Prostate Cancer Cryotherapy: Incontinence Side Effects

Compared with other types of prostate cancer treatments, cryotherapy entails a relatively low risk of incontinence side effects. Cryotherapy is a relatively new prostate cancer treatment, and researchers dispute the exact numbers of patients in cryosurgery clinical trials who experience incontinence. Generally, 5 percent of patients who undergo prostate cryotherapy as primary therapy and 10% of patients who undergo treatment as salvage therapy will experience incontinence. There are also different types of incontinence: some men may experience no control over the flow of urine while others may experience minimal leakage. Each clinical trial has a different set of standards to assess incontinence.

After Prostate Cancer Cryosurgery
Immediately following the cryotherapy procedure and after the removal of the catheter, many men will experience urinary side effects which are not the same as incontinence. Urinary side effects may include irritation, frequency, pain, and minor leakage from which most men will recover without medical intervention as their bodies continue to heal from the procedure.

Treatments for Incontinence after Prostate Cancer Treatment
Speak with your doctor if incontinence symptoms are affecting participation in everyday life. There are a number of incontinence products and treatments available including:

Incontinence Undergarments
Many men who undergo prostate cancer treatments can rely on a variety of incontinence undergarments. Incontinence undergarments are used to absorb urinary leakage and are commonly used by men who experience urinary side effects after treatment as well as incontinence. There are a variety of styles available, such as adhesive, anatomically-shaped guards which are attached to the underwear or briefs and other undergarments, some of which can be removed without undressing. Incontinence undergarments can be purchased as undergarments and allow men to participate in daily activities inside and outside of the home without worrying about leakage.

Strengthen the Pelvic Floor Muscles: Incontinence Exercises
Exercises for the pelvic floor muscles are known as Kegel Exercises. They strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine. Overtime, Kegel exercises will increase the ability of a man who has undergone prostate cancer cryotherapy to control leakage. Kegel exercises are performed by tightening the pelvic muscles which can be located by stopping the stream of urine. Tighten these muscles, not the buttocks nor thighs. While keeping your legs together, breathe deeply and slowly to tighten these muscles. Hold for ten seconds, then release. Speak to your doctor if you have questions about establishing a proper schedule. Kegel exercises are a no-cost, easy way for many men to regain control of their pelvic floor muscles after prostate cancer treatments.

Medications for Incontinence
For incontinence that has become severe after cryosurgery, some men speak to their doctors about pharmaceutical alternatives. Decongestants, anti-depressants, or other drugs are prescribed depending on the type of incontinence that is experienced. Decongestants work by helping to tighten the muscles that allow urine to flow from the body, while anticholinergic agents relax the smooth muscles in the bladder which decreases the contractions that signal the urge to urinate. Speak to your doctor for a medication that might benefit your type of incontinence.

There are other treatments for prostate cancer incontinence. Click here to learn more or speak with your doctor about what's right for you.

 

 
 
 
 

 
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