Single center experience with third-generation cryosurgery for management of organ-confined prostate cancer: critical evaluation of short-term outcomes, complications, and patient quality of life

Cryosurgery would be An Effective Option for Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review

Cryosurgery (CS) has been used on patients with clinically localized PCa for more than 10 years. However, clinical studies evaluating its effectiveness and safety have reported conflicting results. This systematic assessment was performed to obtain comprehensive evidence regarding the potential benefits and safety of CS compared with those of radiotherapy (RT) and radical prostatectomy (RP), respectively. All controlled trials comparing CS with RT or RP and single-arm studies reporting results of CS therapy were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase. Ten publications from seven trials, with totally 1252 patients, were included in the meta-analysis, which revealed no significant differences in comparisons of CS vs RT and CS vs RP for overall survival and disease specific survival. However, a significantly lower disease-free survival could be observed for CS than RP. Moreover, a systematic review of literature focusing on comparative data of databases and materials of single-arm trials revealed satisfactory survival results in both primary and salvage CS. Our results showed that cryosurgery would be a relatively effective method for clinically localized prostate cancer with survival results comparable to radiotherapy and radical prostatectomy. However, the large percentage of complications caused by cryosurgery should be carefully monitored.

Ablative therapy for people with localised prostate cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation

BACKGROUND

For people with localised prostate cancer, active treatments are effective but have significant side effects. Minimally invasive treatments that destroy (or ablate) either the entire gland or the part of the prostate with cancer may be as effective and cause less side effects at an acceptable cost. Such therapies include cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and brachytherapy, among others.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the relative clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ablative therapies compared with radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and active surveillance (AS) for primary treatment of localised prostate cancer, and compared with RP for salvage treatment of localised prostate cancer which has recurred after initial treatment with EBRT.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE (1946 to March week 3, 2013), MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations (29 March 2013), EMBASE (1974 to week 13, 2013), Bioscience Information Service (BIOSIS) (1956 to 1 April 2013), Science Citation Index (1970 to 1 April 2013), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (issue 3, 2013), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) (issue 3, 2013), Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (inception to March 2013) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) (inception to March 2013) databases were searched. Costs were obtained from NHS sources.

REVIEW METHODS

Evidence was drawn from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, and from case series for the ablative procedures only, in people with localised prostate cancer. For primary therapy, the ablative therapies were cryotherapy, HIFU, brachytherapy and other ablative therapies. The comparators were AS, RP and EBRT. For salvage therapy, the ablative therapies were cryotherapy and HIFU. The comparator was RP. Outcomes were cancer related, adverse effects (functional and procedural) and quality of life. Two reviewers extracted data and carried out quality assessment. Meta-analysis used a Bayesian indirect mixed-treatment comparison. Data were incorporated into an individual simulation Markov model to estimate cost-effectiveness.

RESULTS

The searches identified 121 studies for inclusion in the review of patients undergoing primary treatment and nine studies for the review of salvage treatment. Cryotherapy [3995 patients; 14 case series, 1 RCT and 4 non-randomised comparative studies (NRCSs)], HIFU (4000 patients; 20 case series, 1 NRCS) and brachytherapy (26,129 patients; 2 RCTs, 38 NRCSs) studies provided limited data for meta-analyses. All studies were considered at high risk of bias. There was no robust evidence that mortality (4-year survival 93% for cryotherapy, 99% for HIFU, 91% for EBRT) or other cancer-specific outcomes differed between treatments. For functional and quality-of-life outcomes, the paucity of data prevented any definitive conclusions from being made, although data on incontinence rates and erectile dysfunction for all ablative procedures were generally numerically lower than for non-ablative procedures. The safety profiles were comparable with existing treatments. Studies reporting the use of focal cryotherapy suggested that incontinence rates may be better than for whole-gland treatment. Data on AS, salvage treatment and other ablative therapies were too limited. The cost-effectiveness analysis confirmed the uncertainty from the clinical review and that there is no technology which appears superior, on the basis of current evidence, in terms of average cost-effectiveness. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses suggest that a number of ablative techniques are worthy of further research.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitations were the quantity and quality of the data available on cancer-related outcomes and dysfunction.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that there is insufficient evidence to form any clear recommendations on the use of ablative therapies in order to influence current clinical practice. Research efforts in the use of ablative therapies in the management of prostate cancer should now be concentrated on the performance of RCTs and the generation of standardised outcomes.

STUDY REGISTRATION

This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42012002461.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Current status of cryotherapy for prostate and kidney cancer

In terms of treating diseases, minimally invasive treatment has become a key element in reducing perioperative complications. Among the various minimally invasive treatments, cryotherapy is often used in urology to treat various types of cancers, especially prostate cancer and renal cancer. In prostate cancer, the increased incidence of low-risk, localized prostate cancer has made minimally invasive treatment modalities an attractive option. Focal cryotherapy for localized unilateral disease offers the added benefit of minimal morbidities. In renal cancer, owing to the increasing utilization of cross-sectional imaging, nearly 70% of newly detected renal masses are stage T1a, making them more susceptible to minimally invasive nephron-sparing therapies including laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy and ablative therapies. This article reviews the various outcomes of cryotherapy compared with other treatments and the possible uses of cryotherapy in surgery.

Cryotherapy in prostate cancer

Review objectives:

Cryotherapy use has increased due to technological advances. A review of the literature was performed to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of whole gland, salvage and targeted focal cryotherapy in the management of prostate cancer.

Review findings:

Cryotherapy use has increased significantly over the last 10 years with a trend towards focal ablation. Whole gland cryotherapy, salvage cryotherapy and focal cryotherapy biochemical recurrence rates appear to be comparable to other treatment modalities for low risk disease, however biochemical failure remains difficult to compare across studies due to a lack of consensus regarding appropriate end points for evaluation of cryotherapy. Short-term focal cryotherapy outcomes are encouraging. Side effect profiles for cryotherapy have significantly improved with fourth generation systems while salvage cryotherapy continues to carry a slightly higher risk of incontinence than primary whole gland cryotherapy. The incidence of erectile dysfunction after focal cryotherapy is dramatically lower than that for whole gland ablation.

Conclusions:

Cryotherapy continues to have an active role in the primary and salvage treatment of prostate cancer. Targeted focal cryotherapy is a promising treatment with minimal morbidity. Further long-term data is needed to support targeted therapy in addition to direct comparison with other treatment modalities.

Application of 3.0 tesla magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosis in the orthotopic nude mouse model of pancreatic cancer

The aim of this study was to successfully establish an orthotopic murine model using two different human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines and to propose a 3.0 tesla MRI protocol for noninvasive characterization of this model. SW1990 and MIAPaca-2 tumor cells were injected into the pancreas of BALB/C nu/nu mice. Tumor growth rate and morphological information were assessed by 3.0 tesla MRI (T1WI, T2WI and DCE-MRI) and immunohistology. Proliferation of SW1990 was significantly faster than that of MIAPaca-2 (P=0.000), but MIAPaca-2 mice had a significantly shorter survival than SW1990 mice (41 days and 44 days respectively, P=0.027). MRI could reliably monitor tumor growth in both cell lines: the tumors exhibiting a spherical growth pattern showed a high-intensity signal, and the SW1990 group developed significantly larger tumors compared with the MIAPaCa-2 group. There were no statistical differences between the two groups in which tumor size was assessed using electronic calipers and an MRI scan (P=0.680). Both tumors showed a slow gradual enhancement pattern. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated tumor tissues showing high expression of Ki-67. This model closely mimics human pancreatic cancer and permits monitoring of tumor growth and morphological information by noninvasive 3.0 tesla MRI studies reducing the number of mice required.

Current approaches, challenges and future directions for monitoring treatment response in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous neoplasm in men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer mortality. One in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. As a result, monitoring treatment response is of vital importance. The cornerstone of current approaches in monitoring treatment response remains the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, with the limitations of PSA come challenges in our ability to monitor treatment success. Defining PSA response is different depending on the individual treatment rendered potentially making it difficult for those not trained in urologic oncology to understand. Furthermore, standard treatment response criteria do not apply to prostate cancer further complicating the issue of treatment response. Historically, prostate cancer has been difficult to image and no single modality has been consistently relied upon to measure treatment response. However, with newer imaging modalities and advances in our understanding and utilization of specific biomarkers, the future for monitoring treatment response in prostate cancer looks bright.

[Horseshoe kidney, stone disease and prostate cancer: a case presentation]

The horseshoe kidney is the most common congenital renal fusion anomalies. It occurs in 0.25% of the population, or 1 in every 400 people. It is more frequent in males (ratio 2:1). The most observed complication of horseshoe kidney is stone disease, although there may be others such as, abdominal pain, urinary infections, haematuria, hydronephrosis, trauma and tumours (most commonly associated with hypernephroma and Wilms tumour). We describe a case of a male patient with horseshoe kidney, stone disease and adenocarcinoma of the prostate. One carrier of this condition who suffered a transitional cell carcinoma of the prostate was found in a review of the literature.

Prostate cancer: current treatment and prevention strategies

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the life threatening disorders of male. Although, over the last two decades, a high rate of overdiagnosis, and overtreatment has lowered the incidence rate of prostate cancer, the treatment or prevention strategies are not enough to control the high rate of disease related mortality. Current medical treatment approaches include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, cryosurgery and other methods. These approaches are more or less effective either as monotherapy or in multimodal approach. However, many adverse or side effects exist with these strategies. Researches are ongoing to find out the way or better strategies to eliminate the adverse effects. Dietary modifications may also contribute to decrease prostate cancer risk. Several nutraceuticals against prostate cancer have also been identified. This review article summarizes some of the current treatment, and prevention strategies with the protection of prostate cancer, which may be helpful to control and prevent this highly frequent life threatening disease.

Initial brazilian experience in the treatment of localized prostate cancer using a new generation cryotechnology: feasibility study

INTRODUCTION

The objective of our study is to present the first Brazilian cryoablation experience in the treatment of low and intermediate risk localized prostate cancer using 3rd generation cryoablation and real-time biplanar transrectal ultrasonography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten Brazilian patients underwent primary cryoablation for localized prostate cancer between October 2010 and June 2011. All patients consented for whole gland primary cryotherapy. The procedures were performed by 3rd generation cryoablation with the Cryocare System ® (Endocare, Irvine, California). Preoperative data collection included patient demographics along with prostate gland size, Gleason score, serum prostate specific antigen, and erectile function status. Operative and post--operative assessment involved estimated blood loss, operative time, complications, serum PSA level, erectile function status, urinary incontinence, biochemical disease free survival (BDFS), and follow-up time.

RESULTS

All patients in the study successfully underwent whole gland cryoablation. The mean of: age, prostate size, PSA level, and Gleason score, was 66.2 years old; 40.7 g; 7.8 ng/mL; and 6 respectively. All patients were classified as low or moderate D' Amico risk (5 low and 5 moderate). Erectile dysfunction was present in 50% of patients. The estimated blood loss was minimal, operative time was 46.1 minutes. All patients that developed erectile dysfunction post-treatment responded to oral or intracavernosal medications with early penile rehabilitation. All patients maintained urinary continence by the end of a 10 months evaluation period and none had biochemical relapse within the mean follow-up of 13 months (7-15 months).

CONCLUSION

Our initial experience shows that cryoablation is a minimally invasive option for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. Short term data seems to be promising but longer follow-up is necessary to verify oncological and functional results.

Prostate cryoablation in patients with multiple-component inflatable penile prostheses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and assess any inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP)-related complications in patients with organ-confined prostate cancer treated definitively with third-generation, ultrasound-guided prostate cryoablation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From November 2003 to October 2010, we identified 100 consecutive patients with clinically organ-confined prostate cancer who were treated with targeted cryoablation as primary or salvage therapy by a single surgeon. Review of these patients revealed 13 who had previously been diagnosed with organic erectile dysfunction and had been implanted with a multiple-component IPP by the same surgeon. To assess IPP complications related to the cryoablation procedure, we retrospectively reviewed events occurring within a 6-month postoperative follow-up period.

RESULTS

For the entire series, the patient ages ranged from 42-84 years (mean 68). Of the 13 patients with IPPs, no device-related complication (eg, IPP infection, erosion, or malfunction) was found. No patient required IPP revision or removal.

CONCLUSION

Patients with organ-confined prostate cancer who also have a multiple-component IPP may safely undergo ultrasound-guided prostate cryoablation as definitive therapy. Cryoprobe and thermocouple placement must be carried out carefully, using ultrasound guidance. To avoid IPP reservoir injury, suprapubic tube placement should be avoided.

Contemporary technique of intraoperative 3-dimensional ultrasonography-guided transperineal prostate cryotherapy

Successful cryotherapy of the prostate for neoplasms relies on imaging to achieve good oncological outcomes with minimal complications. Traditional prostatic cryotherapy relies on 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) guidance, which often makes it difficult to track the passage of needles in an oblique plane. We describe our initial 3-dimensional ultrasonography (3DUS) system, and the subsequent improvements that have been made during the last 10 years. Our imaging system uses a Philips HDI 5000 ultrasonography unit, a standard PC, a Matrox Meteor II video frame grabber and 3DUS developed at Robarts Research Institute. For the cryotherapy we use ultrathin (17-gauge) IceRod needles. After image acquisition, preplanning is performed using the 3-dimensional (3D) software, and then the IceRod needles are inserted into the prostate. As the freezing process commences, continuous 3DUS images are taken and analyzed during the double freeze-thaw cycles to monitor the progress of the ice ball formation. Real-time intraoperative 3D imaging of the prostate during cryotherapy has allowed us to accurately preplan and then monitor the progression of ice ball formation, which represents a significant advantage over conventional 2DUS.

Minimally invasive ablative therapies for definitive treatment of localized prostate cancer in the primary setting

Traditionally, the patient with a new diagnosis of localized prostate cancer faces either radical therapy, in the form of surgery or radiation, or active surveillance. A growing subset of these men may not be willing to accept the psychological burden of active surveillance nor the side effects of extirpative or radiation therapy. Local ablative therapies including cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and vascular-targeted photodynamic therapy have emerged as a means for minimally invasive definitive treatment. These treatments are well tolerated with decreased morbidity in association with improvements in technology; however, long-term oncologic efficacy remains to be determined.

Is there an optimal management for localized prostate cancer?

Widespread screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has led to a significant increase in the detection of early stage, clinically localized prostate cancer (CaP). Various treatment options for localized CaP are discussed in this review article including active surveillance, radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and cryotherapy. The paucity of high-level evidence adds a considerable amount of controversy when choosing the "optimal" intervention, for both the treating physician and the patient. The long time course of CaP intervention outcomes, combined with continuing modifications in treatments, further complicate the matter. Lacking randomized trials that compare treatment options, this review article attempts to summarize the different treatment options and associated side-effects, including effects on health-related quality of life, from current published literature.

Analysis of urinary function using validated instruments and uroflowmetry after primary and salvage prostate cryoablation

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate changes in urinary function after cryoablation for clinically localized prostate cancer and to investigate risk factors that predict changes in urinary function after surgery.

METHODS

Among the patients who underwent primary or salvage cryoablation between January 2002 and May 2008, 74 patients (50 primary and 24 salvage) with both a preoperative and postoperative urinary function domain score and uroflowmetry were included in this study. The mean age was 66.8 ± 7.5 years and the mean follow-up period was 42.5 ± 20.3 months. The changes in postoperative urinary function were evaluated on the basis of several categorized groups, including surgical method, preoperative urinary symptoms, and prostate volume.

RESULTS

Of 74 patients, 2 (2.7%) presented with mild stress incontinence after cryoablation. No patient presented with persistent urinary retention or urethral fistula. When comparing postoperative International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and bother index scores with preoperative scores, it was found that on average IPSS and bother index recovered 12 and 18 months after cryoablation, respectively, and continued to improve after recovery. Only salvage cryoablation correlated with deteriorating urinary function in a logistic regression model (P = .032). However, it was noted that the patients with preoperative moderate to severe urinary symptoms and larger prostate volume showed improvement of urinary function after cryoablation. No associations were found between worsened urinary function and prostate volume, comorbidities (hypertension, obesity, and diabetes), or sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

Cryoablation is a minimally invasive surgery for localized prostate cancer. This study is the first to demonstrate the ability of cryoablation in terms of maintaining and potentially improving urinary function using validated instruments and uroflowmetry assessments.

[Radical transurethral resection of the prostate. An alternative therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer]

The value of radical transurethral resection of prostate cancer (TURPC) as an alternative therapy was investigated in this prospective study. From January 1995 to July 2008, 533 patients with a median age of 67 years (range 40-89 years) and with clinically localized prostate cancer were resected by the corresponding author with curative intention. The tumor stages were as follows: pT1 8%; pT2 61%; pT3 31%; G1 2%; G2 80%; G3 18%. TURPC requires continuous low-pressure irrigation with the irrigator liquid level at 10 cm water above the pubic region. It also requires a suprapubic trocar, a resectoscope with a 28F sheath, an autoregulated electrosurgical unit, and video monitoring. The prostate is resected completely with peripheral capsule and seminal vesicles. The specimen is retrieved in fractions for correct histopathological staging. If indicated, laparoscopic staging lymphadenectomy is performed. A secondary session for control of positive margins follows after 8 weeks. The transfusion rate was 1.5%, revision for hemorrhage 2.4%, lung embolism 0.2%, bladder neck incision 14%, grade 2 incontinence 0.6% out of 314, and impotence 30% out of 136. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir was < or =0.2 ng/ml in 95% of 444 cases. PSA recurrence at 5 years was 6% for pT1, 18% for pT2, and 31% for pT3. Postoperative survival at 10 years was 96% for pT1, 91% for pT2, and 85% for pT3 patients. Prostate cancer can be resected transurethrally with reasonable oncological results. The outcome with respect to survival and PSA recurrence is comparable with the results of other published procedures. Low-pressure irrigation with a suprapubic trocar is mandatory for safe performance.

Update on cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer

Stage migration has led to an increased incidence of localized and low-risk prostate cancer. Intermediate-term data are emerging on the efficacy of cryotherapy, but direct comparison to other therapeutic modalities is difficult as the parameters for recurrence are not well defined. Studies using the American Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology and the Phoenix (nadir plus 2) criteria for biochemical recurrence show that primary cryotherapy appears to be comparable for low-risk prostate cancer as other treatment modalities. In addition, health-related quality-of-life measures have improved with the most recent third-generation systems demonstrating low incontinence and urethrorectal fistula rates. Erectile dysfunction is high with whole gland ablation, but focal therapy may reduce these rates while still ablating unilateral cancerous tissue. Prostate cryotherapy for localized prostate cancer is an evolving but viable therapeutic option. Long-term data are still needed to establish a definitive role for cryosurgery in prostate cancer treatment.