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.

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
- Multiple freeze-thaw cycles ensure the cancer cells are thoroughly destroyed while sparing nearby healthy tissue.
- Throughout the procedure, imaging guidance helps our surgeons monitor the size and spread of the ice balls to protect adjacent structures such as the rectum and bladder
- Urethral warmer: A tube is placed into the urethra (urine channel) during the procedure to minimize scarring of the urethra after the procedure.
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
- A suprapubic tube (SP tube): A catheter placed through the lower abdomen into the bladder, draining the bladder while the urethra heals.
- A Foley catheter: A catheter placed through the penis into the bladder to assist with urinary drainage.


Monitoring and Follow-Up for Prostate Cryoablation
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:
- Want a less invasive alternative to surgery or radiation?
- Have not had prior prostate surgery or radiation (or are seeking salvage therapy after a recurrence).
- Want a treatment with fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time, although erectile dysfunction is higher with cryoablation than with other treatment options.
- Risk of recurrence - because cryoablation destroys the prostate tissue and cancer cells with ice, there is always the risk the cancer has not been destroyed. Patients need to be followed closely with PSA blood work and prostate MRIs to ensure the cancer has not returned.


A Precision Treatment for Kidney Tumors
How Kidney Cryoablation 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.
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.


Monitoring and Follow-Up for Kidney Cryoablation
Is Kidney Cryoablation Right for You?
Kidney cryoablation is an excellent treatment option for:
- Patients with small kidney tumors (less than 4 cm) who want to preserve their kidney
- Those who may not be good candidates for more invasive surgery due to age, comorbidities, or other health concerns.
- Patients seeking a minimally invasive treatment with a quicker recovery and fewer complications.
- Recurrence - because the tumors are treated with ice, there is a potential risk of cancer recurrence, and therefore, patients must get CT scans and imaging to ensure there is no risk of recurrent tumor growth.

Why Choose UPNT for Prostate and Kidney Cryoablation?
Expertise
- Our surgeons have been at the forefront of cryoablation techniques for over 20 years.
State-of-the-art facility
- USMD Hospital in Arlington offers cutting-edge technology and a dedicated team focused on patient care.
Comprehensive care
- From pre-procedure consultation to post-treatment follow-up, we ensure you receive personalized, compassionate care at every step.
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.