Advanced Cancer Treatment at UPNT

At UPNT, we offer cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments for prostate and kidney cancer,
including cryoablation. This advanced technique uses extreme cold to destroy cancerous
tissue, providing a safe and effective alternative to traditional surgery or radiation. Our highly
skilled team of urologic surgeons has been pioneering this procedure for years, ensuring
patients receive world-class care with optimal outcomes. Both prostate and kidney cryoablation
treatments are performed at USMD Hospital in Arlington. Patients benefit from the latest
medical technology and compassionate care at this state-of-the-art facility.

we’ll explain prostate and kidney cryoablation, clearly outlining the benefits, how each procedure is performed, and what to expect during your treatment journey
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A Targeted Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cryoablation is a highly effective option for men with localized prostate cancer. At UPNT, we’ve been performing this procedure for over 20 years, with several of our surgeons serving as instructors in cryoablation throughout their careers. This minimally invasive treatment targets cancer cells within the prostate while minimizing damage to healthy tissue, making it an excellent option for men who wish to avoid more aggressive treatments like radiation or surgery.

How Prostate Cryoablation Works

Prostate cryoablation involves inserting cryoprobes (thin needles) through small incisions in the perineum (the area between the scrotum and anus). These cryoprobes are guided into the prostate using real-time ultrasound imaging. Once the probes are in place, argon gas is delivered, creating ice balls that freeze and destroy the cancerous tissue.
The freezing process involves precise control:

Benefits of Prostate Cryoablation

1

Minimally invasive

Smaller incisions mean less pain, lower risk of complications, and faster recovery than traditional surgery.

2

Outpatient procedure

Most men can go home the same day as the procedure, recovering quickly at home.

3

Preserve urinary continence

Unlike surgery that may remove the entire prostate, cryoablation is a more conservative option; this is routinely used to destroy only part of the prostate for patients with cancer on one side of the prostate or the entire prostate for patients with cancer on both sides of the prostate. The goal is to minimize damage to the urinary sphincter to minimize the risk of urinary incontinence

4

Fewer side effects

Many patients report lower rates of urinary incontinence, and for those men who only have one side of the prostate ablated, their chances of regaining erections after the procedure are better.

What to Expect After Prostate Cryoablation

After prostate cryoablation, most patients will go home with either:
For patients with an SP tube, urination typically resumes within 4–5 days, and the tube is removed during a follow-up visit 4–7 days after the procedure. Patients with a Foley catheter generally have it removed within the same timeframe.
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Surgery Overview

Monitoring and Follow-Up for Prostate Cryoablation

Post-procedure monitoring is critical to ensure that the treatment has been successful. At UPNT, you will have a PSA test about three months after the procedure to measure the effectiveness of the treatment. PSA levels will be monitored regularly, with tests several times yearly to check for any signs of recurrence

Is Prostate Cryoablation Right for You?

Prostate cryoablation is best suited for men with localized prostate cancer (cancer confined to the prostate). It’s an excellent option if you:
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A Precision Treatment for Kidney Tumors

Kidney cryoablation offers a less invasive option for treating small kidney tumors (less than 4 cm), allowing for effective cancer treatment while preserving kidney function. At UPNT, our surgeons are highly experienced in kidney cryoablation, providing patients with a treatment option that minimizes the need for major surgery and reduces recovery time.

How Kidney Cryoablation Works

Similar to prostate cryoablation, kidney cryoablation uses cryoprobes to freeze and destroy cancerous tissue. However, kidney cryoablation is typically performed under a CT scan or ultrasound guidance to ensure precise targeting of the tumor within the kidney. UPNT surgeons perform this laparoscopic surgery with small keyhole incisions and an ultrasound to locate and destroy the tumor.
Here’s how the procedure works:

1

Preparation

The patient is placed under general anesthesia, and small incisions are made near the kidney.

2

Cryoprobe Placement

Your UPNT surgeon inserts cryoprobes through the skin and directs them to the kidney tumor using real-time imaging.

3

Freezing the Tumor

Argon gas is released through the cryoprobes, creating ice balls that encase the tumor and freeze the cancerous tissue. This destroys the tumor while leaving surrounding healthy kidney tissue intact.

4

Thawing Cycle

The tissue is then thawed with helium, and the freeze-thaw cycle is repeated to ensure tumor destruction.

The minimally invasive procedure typically takes about 1–2 hours to complete and is routinely done laparoscopically through keyhole incisions.

Benefits of Kidney Cryoablation

Kidney preservation: Cryoablation allows patients to keep their kidneys intact, making it an excellent option for those at risk of kidney disease or who need to preserve kidney function.
Minimally invasive: With only small incisions, this procedure causes less trauma to the body compared to traditional open surgery.
No tubes or drains: Unlike prostate cryoablation, kidney cryoablation does not require using catheters or drains post procedure, simplifying the recovery process.
Outpatient procedure: Most patients are discharged the day after the procedure.

What to Expect After Kidney Cryoablation

Following kidney cryoablation, patients typically stay in the hospital overnight and are discharged the next day. Since no tubes or drains are required, patients can go home without needing additional devices for recovery. Recovery times are shorter than traditional kidney surgeries, and most patients can resume normal activities within a few days.

Urological Health
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Monitoring and Follow-Up for Kidney Cryoablation

After kidney cryoablation, follow-up care is crucial to ensure the tumor is effectively treated. Six months after the procedure, a CT scan will be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cryoablation. Patients will continue to receive regular CT scans—either once or twice a year—for the first several years after treatment to monitor for any recurrence. Over time, if no cancer is detected, the frequency of these scans will decrease.

Is Kidney Cryoablation Right for You?

Kidney cryoablation is an excellent treatment option for:
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Why Choose UPNT for Prostate and Kidney Cryoablation?

UPNT’s urologic surgeons are among the most experienced in the nation, having performed thousands of cryoablation procedures over the past two decades. Many of our surgeons have served as instructors and trainers in cryoablation techniques, ensuring that our patients receive care from the top experts in the field. Additionally, all cryoablation procedures are performed at USMD Hospital in Arlington, a premier medical facility equipped with the latest technology for minimally invasive surgery.
Here’s why UPNT is the top choice for cryoablation:
Expertise
State-of-the-art facility
Comprehensive care

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does cryoablation take?

Prostate and kidney cryoablation procedures typically last 1–2 hours, depending on the size and location of the tumor.

Is recovery painful after prostate cryoablation?

Most patients experience mild discomfort, which can be managed with pain medication. You will have a suprapubic tube or Foley catheter for a few days, but these are easily managed at home.

How soon will I know if my prostate cryoablation was successful?

You will have a PSA test three months after the procedure to evaluate the success of the treatment. Continued PSA testing throughout the year will monitor your progress.

Is kidney cryoablation a good alternative to surgery?

Yes, kidney cryoablation is an excellent option for patients with small kidney tumors who want to avoid traditional surgery and preserve kidney function. Their top two choices are robotic partial nephrectomy and kidney cryoblation. It is essential to discuss these options with your UPNT surgeon at the time of your consultation.

How often will I need CT scans after kidney cryoablation?

A CT scan is performed six months post procedure, followed by regular scans once or twice a year.

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