FAQS about cryotherapy for prostate cancer

Can focal cryotherapy cure my prostate cancer?

Am I a candidate for focal cryotherapy with the image fusion in real time?

¿What are the risks and side effects of focal cryotherapy?

How long is the procedure?

How will I feel after the procedure?

How long will it take until returning to normal life?

What about other activities, like sports?

How will it affect my sexual life?

Will I be incontinent after the procedure?

What could happen/ should I expect in a long term?

Can focal cryotherapy cure my prostate cancer?

If your doctor considers that you are a candidate for focal cryotherapy for prostate, it is highly likely that the procedure cure your cancer.

Am I a candidate for focal cryotherapy with the image fusion in real time?

Your doctor can help to determine if you are a good candidate, although the cryotherapy for prostate is used to treat all stages and types of localized prostate cancer (cancer that has not spread beyond the prostate). The cryotherapy is also used to treat those patients whose radiation therapy (radiotherapy) has failed (rescue cryotherapy).

What are the risks and side effects of focal cryotherapy?

Your doctor will advice you that any medical procedure has its risks. However, the focal cryotherapy avoids many of the risks and complications of other treatments. The possible side effects of curative treatments for prostate cancer include the incontinency (thought cryotherapy has a very low risk) and erection problems.

How long is the procedure?

A focal cryotherapy procedure for prostate cancer with the image fusion in real time lasts for about 90 minutes.

This is an outpatient procedure at our center. It is a procedure that requires sedation so the whole stay takes around 3 hours.

Some cases will need a urinary catheter during 3 to 5 days. Our nurse will call you to follow up the day after the procedure and you will be able to contact her whenever you need.

How will I feel after the procedure?

You could feel a slight discomfort right after the procedure, but you will be given pain medication and will get well quickly. Some patients will need a urinary catheter for a few days until they are able to urinate.

Before going home, you will be taught how to manage the catheter. Most patients feel a big relief after their cancers have been treated and others feel rather sensitive, but the professional team of Lyx Urología will be at your side at all times.

How long will it take until returning to normal life?

Your doctor will tell you in advance how long time you need. Because focal cryotherapy has no open surgery involved, most patients are able to return to their normal lives once they no longer need the urinary catheter, within a week approximately.

What about other activities, like sports?

Your doctor will advise you when would be appropriate to restart your active hobbies and sports, that normally takes one or two weeks after the procedure.

How will it affect my sexual life?

Every curative treatment for prostate cancer may affect the ability to get and keep an erection. The focal cryotherapy it focuses on the affected area only, so allows preserve the nerves that control erection.

The chance to keep an erection after the procedure varies from patient to patient, depending on age, previous state of erection and by anatomic location of the tumor. This risk may seem discouraging, but we must bear in mind that there are important advances in medical science to help men who have lost their natural ability to get an erection.

The erectile dysfunction (ED) or sexual impotence, is very common in middle age men (including those who have not suffered a prostate cancer) and nowadays there are many methods to help achieve a satisfactory sexual life. Unlike with radical surgery, ejaculation and orgasm are not affected.

Will I be incontinent after the procedure?

The other side effect connected with prostate cancer is the loss of bladder control (urine leakage). This is one of the most common side effects of the procedure. Many men need to use sanitary towels and regularly replaced them due to the urine leakage; this is an important obstacle on restoring a good quality of life after your treatment. It is particularly difficult on patients who have previously enjoyed a rich social life, outdoor sports and other activities.

Following a study, it was found that the focal cryotherapy group has better results than other groups of treatments (including the robotic radical prostatectomy). The cryotherapy group recovered a 99% of their initial punctuation at 6 months and improved its basal punctuation on around 13% in three years.

What could happen/ should I expect in a long term?

It is very important that patients understand clearly that, focal cryotherapy needs to be closely monitored. Because the focal cryotherapy focuses on a specific area of the prostate, at least half of the gland will be untreated (hence the few of side effects observed).

All patients who had undergone a focal cryotherapy must regularly follow-up (PSA, nuclear MRI scan and re-biopsy eventually) to monitor any change carefully.

In case that a tumor is found in the future, the patient will have the option of an additional treatment.

The focal cryotherapy does not exclude any future option of treatment (radical surgery, radiation, etc), including a focal cryotherapy of repetition or cryotherapy of the entire prostate gland. It is likely that the patient enjoys a quality of life without interruption from the first procedure until an additional one if needed.

Dra. Natalia Bautista

Being trained as one of the fellows of the Andrology and Reconstructive surgery unit at Lyx Institute of Urology was truly an incredible experience!

Coming from the Philippines, where no formal training in andrology and sexual medicine is available, being selected as one of the fellows was a significant milestone in my professional journey.

During my fellowship, I was deeply immersed in various aspects of andrology and sexual medicine. I gained valuable exposure to the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating with specialists such as radiologists specializing in andrology, nurse specialists for low-intensity shockwave therapy, and the world-class surgeons performing prosthetic and reconstructive urology. Apart from the cutting-edge procedures they performed, I was also impressed by the exceptional patient care provided by the nursing team, whose dedication to patient comfort and recovery stood out.

I am immensely grateful to the Lyx Institute for this learning opportunity. Despite cultural differences and language barriers, the team was warm, welcoming, respectful, and eager to share their expertise. I look forward to staying connected and exploring future collaborations, with the hope of bringing the knowledge and skills I gained back to the Philippines to benefit Filipino patients and contribute to the development of andrology and sexual medicine in my home country.

Dr. Mark Brian Roa

“My training at Lyx has been an exceptional experience. Although I have focused on urogenital prosthetic and reconstructive surgery, I was impressed to see that all urological aspects are integrated into this clinic. Each surgeon has a subspecialty and provides high-level surgical care. This has allowed me, not only an excellent and varied learning experience, but I have also been able to see the excellent and effective patient care. The center also exemplifies the safe use of outpatient surgery without compromising the patient experience or quality of care. Lyx Urology and The Lyx Institution truly embodies the spirit of the medical cutting edge.

The volume and variety of cases I have been able to assist has been impressive. The surgeons are very professional and have been very attentive and considerate to me, it has been a pleasure to work with them. I have learned a lot during my time here and I am happy to have new colleagues and friends. Although Australia is far from Spain, I look forward to our continued contact and collaboration.”

Dr. Ross Calopedos

“I did my traineeship at Lyx, it was a great educational experience, full of huge possibilities for my professional growth. The doctors are highly qualified and the operating rooms are fully equipped with brand new technologies. I am glad for this opportunity!”

Dr. Federica Passarelli

“It was a privilege to be on this fellowship at The Lyx Institution. My experience was wonderful. I am very grateful to the doctors and staff at Lyx, they are highly professional, polite and welcomed me with open arms.

My focus was on Andrology and HoLEP Surgery. The team of doctors is recognized nationally and internationally and it has been an honor to be with them both in the operating room and in consultation.

Lyx is a center of excellence always focused on improvement. I am completely impressed with the high volume of both surgeries and consultations they have. The care and attention to his patients is sublime. Its outpatient surgery center is an example of total efficiency. I am and will be eternally grateful to The Lyx Institution and the doctors that comprise it for giving me the opportunity to complete my training. Not only will I improve my surgical techniques, I will also learn better ways to care for my patients and make my practice more efficient.

I have a very pleasant experience and I hope to improve my professional practice. On a personal level, I made new friends and colleagues for life.“

Dr. Sergio Dávila

¡Formarme en la Unidad de Andrología y Cirugía Reconstructiva del Lyx Instituto de Urología ha sido realmente una experiencia increíble!

En mi país, esta parte de la urología no está desarrollada y la formación que recibimos es escasa, por lo que haber sido seleccionado como fellow de The Lyx Institution ha sido un hito importante en mi trayectoria profesional.

Durante mi estancia, he aprendido la importancia de un enfoque multidisciplinario: He tenido la oportunidad de colaborar, no solo con andrólogos de reconocido prestigio internacional, también con radiólogos y enfermeros especializados en Andrología, que además de realizar tratamientos vanguardistas, prestan especial atención a la satisfacción del paciente.

Estoy inmensamente agradecido a Lyx por esta oportunidad de aprendizaje. A pesar de las diferencias culturales y las barreras idiomáticas, el equipo ha sido cálido, acogedor, respetuoso y dispuesto a compartir su experiencia. Espero seguir conectado y explorar colaboraciones futuras, con la esperanza de traer el conocimiento y las habilidades que he adquirido a Filipinas para beneficiar a los pacientes filipinos y contribuir al desarrollo de la andrología y la medicina sexual en mi país de origen.

Dr. Mark Brian Roa

“Mi formación en Lyx ha sido una experiencia excepcional. Aunque me he centrado en la cirugía protésica y reconstructiva urogenital, me impresionó ver que todos los aspectos urológicos están integrados en esta clínica. Cada cirujano tiene una subespecialidad y proporciona atención quirúrgica de alto nivel. Esto me ha permitido, no sólo una excelente y variada experiencia de aprendizaje, también he podido comprobar la excelente y eficaz atención al paciente. El centro también ejemplifica el uso seguro de la cirugía ambulatoria sin comprometer la experiencia del paciente ni la calidad de la atención. Lyx Urología y The Lyx Institution verdaderamente encarna el espíritu de la vanguardia médica.

El volumen y variedad de casos al que he podido asistir ha sido impresionante. Los cirujanos son muy profesionales y han sido muy atentos y considerados conmigo, ha sido un placer trabajar con ellos. He aprendido mucho durante mi tiempo aquí y estoy feliz de tener nuevos colegas y amigos. Si bien Australia está lejos de España, espero con interés nuestro contacto y colaboración continua”

Dr. Ross Calopedos

“Fue un privilegio estar en este fellowship en The Lyx Institution. Mi experiencia fue maravillosa. Estoy muy agradecido con los doctores y el staff que forman parte de Lyx, son altamente profesionales, educados y me recibieron con los brazos abiertos.

Mi enfoque fue en Andrología y Cirugía HoLEP. El equipo de doctores es reconocido nacional e internacionalmente y ha sido todo un honor estar con ellos tanto en el quirófano como en consulta.

Lyx es un centro de excelencia enfocado siempre en mejorar. Estoy completamente impresionado con el alto volumen que tienen tanto de cirugías como de consultas. El cuidado y atención a sus pacientes es sublime. Su centro de cirugía ambulatoria es un ejemplo de eficacia total. Estoy y estaré eternamente agradecido con The Lyx Institution y los doctores que lo conforman por darme la oportunidad completar mi formación. No solo mejoré mis técnicas quirúrgicas, también aprendí mejores maneras para atender a mis pacientes y hacer mas eficiente mi consulta.

Me llevo una experiencia muy grata y espero mejorar mi practica profesional. A nivel personal, hice nuevos amigos y colegas de por vida.”

Dr. Sergio Dávila

“He realizado mis prácticas en Lyx y ha sido una gran experiencia educativa, llena de enormes posibilidades para mi crecimiento profesional. Los médicos están altamente cualificados y los quirófanos están equipados con las últimas tecnologías. ¡Me alegro de haber tenido esta oportunidad!”

Dra. Federica Passarelli