Cryotherapy

Prostate Cancer can be a frightening experience. It may be treated by multiple approaches.
Recently Dr Thomas Tarter at SIU has bought a new treatment approach for prostate cancer to central and southern Illinois called cryoablation of the prostate. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses ice to destroy prostate cancer.

The patient will stay in the hospital only overnight. Cryotherapy does not involve radiation or radioactive substances (seeds) that are left in the body. There is no recoverey from major surgery.

Some frequently asked questions include:

How is the procedure performed?

Several probes are inserted directly into the prostate gland. These special probes freeze the prostate, while a warming catheter protects the urethra (urinary flow tube) during the procedure.

Do I need to have a urinary catheter after the procedure?

A special urinary drainage tube is placed directly into the bladder on your abdomen (called a suprapubic catheter). This is used for a couple of weeks during the recovery period.