PSA kinetics following primary focal cryotherapy (hemiablation) in organ-confined prostate cancer patients.

PURPOSE: We aim to evaluate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) trends in post-primary focal cryotherapy (PFC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an institutional review board-approved retrospective study of PFC patients from 2010 to 2015. Patients with at least one post-PFC PSA were included in the study. Biochemical recurrence (BCR) was determined using the Phoenix criteria. PSA bounce was also assessed. We analyzed rates of change of PSA over time of post-PFC between BCR and no BCR groups. PSA-derived variables were analyzed as potential predictors of BCR. RESULTS: A total of 104 PFC patients were included in our analysis. Median (range) age and follow-up time were 66 (48-82) years and 19 (6.3-38.6) months, respectively. Four (3.8%) patients experienced PSA bounce. The median percent drop in first post-PFC PSA of 80.0% was not associated with BCR (p = 0.256) and may indicate elimination of the index lesion. The rate of increase of PSA in BCR patients was significantly higher compared to patients who did not recur (median PSA velocity (PSAV): 0.15 vs 0.04 ng/ml/month, p = 0.001). Similar to PSAV (HR 9.570, 95% CI 3.725-24.592, p < 0.0001), PSA nadir ≥ 2 ng/ml [HR (hazard ratio) 1.251, 95% CI 1.100-1.422, p = 0.001] was independently associated with BCR. CONCLUSION: A significant drop in post-PFC PSA may indicate elimination of the index lesion. Patients who are likely to recur biochemically have a significantly higher PSAV compared to those who do not recur. Nadir PSA of less than 2 ng/ml may be considered the new normal PSA in focal cryotherapy (hemiablation) follow-up.

Salvage focal cryosurgery may delay use of androgen deprivation therapy in cryotherapy and radiation recurrent prostate cancer patients.

INTRODUCTION: Salvage treatment options for recurrent unilateral prostate cancer (PCa) after primary radiation are limited and associated with severe complications and poor quality of life measures. Salvage focal cryotherapy (SFC) has shown success in biochemical recurrence (BCR) free survival. We aim to determine if SFC can delay use of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in recurrent PCa with low morbidity. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who underwent SFC at our institution from 2007 to 2015 was performed. Patients with <2 follow-up prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values, metastatic disease, and a history of radical prostatectomy were excluded. Age at treatment, prior treatment history, PSA nadir, complications, BCR status (nadir +2 ng/ml), and follow-up data were obtained/analysed. ADT was commenced if patient experienced BCR and had a PSA doubling time <6 months or positive confirmatory biopsy or positive imaging. Cox regression and survival analysis were used to assess confounding and time to BCR respectively. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were included and followed for a median of 26.6 (8.0-99.0) months. Thirty-one (47.7%) patients did not experience BCR. An even higher number of patients (52/65, 80.0%) are yet to receive ADT. Of those who experienced BCR [median time to BCR, 17.1 [interquartile range (IQR):11.4-23.3] months], 22/34 (64.7%) are currently carefully monitored without ADT. Survival analysis showed a biochemical recurrence-free survival of 48.1 at 1- and 3-year follow up. No patient died/experienced major complications. CONCLUSIONS: SFC may be used to delay the use of ADT. Further assessment of our findings with high-powered studies and longer follow-up is required.

Surveillance one year post focal cryotherapy for clinically significant prostate cancer using mpMRI and PIRADS v2.1: An initial experience from a prospective phase II mandatory biopsy study.

Objectives: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) surveillance post focal cryotherapy (FT) of prostate cancer is challenging as post treatment artefacts alter mpMRI findings. In this initial experience, we assessed diagnostic performance of mpMRI in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) after FT. Materials and methods: This single-centre phase II prospective clinical trial recruited 28 men with localized csPCa for FT between October 2019 and April 2021. 12-months post FT mpMRI were performed prior to biopsy and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of all mpMRI positive subjects were analysed. Chi square goodness of fit test correlated biopsy positive PIRADS3 (P3) and PIRADS4/5 lesions with histology grade group. One way ANOVA test assessed performance of ADC values in differentiating csPCa, non csPCa and benign lesions. Results: Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of mpMRI were 100%, 14.28%, 53.84% and 100% for subjects with histologically proven cancer. Correlation of PIRADS v2.1 scores with histologically proven prostate cancer was statistically significant (p < 0.5). Correlation of P3 lesions with non-csPCa was statistically significant (p < 0.02535). Higher ADC value was associated with benign histology (adjusted odds ratio OR 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.94, 0.99) (p = 0.008). Among the malignant lesions, higher ADC value was associated with non-csPCa (adjusted OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95, 0.99) (p = 0.032). Conclusion: mpMRI is highly sensitive in detecting residual cancer. ADC values and PIRADS scores may be of value in differentiating csPCa from non-csPCa with a potential for risk stratification of men requiring re-biopsy versus non-invasive surveillance of remnant prostate.

Oncological and Functional Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Individualized Partial Gland Cryoablation of the Prostate: A Single-Institution Experience.

Objectives: We aim at reporting the functional and oncological outcomes in men with localized prostate cancer who underwent individualized partial gland cryoablation of the prostate by using validated quality-of-life instruments. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our cryosurgery database between July 2003 and September 2019 for men who were treated with individualized partial gland cryoablation of the prostate at our tertiary care center. Baseline and periodic urinary and sexual function surveys were administered throughout the post-treatment period. Results: A total of 82 men were included in the study. Median follow-up was 28 months (interquartile range: 10.5-59.3 months). A total of 71 men underwent primary individualized partial gland cryoablation, whereas 11 men underwent salvage partial gland ablation. Failure-free survival at 1 to 5 years was 98%, 89%, 84%, 75%, and 75% in the primary therapy group, and 100%, 80%, and 40% in the salvage group at 1 to 3 years, respectively. In the primary therapy group, all 71 patients remained free of pads at 3 months and throughout the follow-up period. Men who had undergone primary focal cryoablation had a higher post-treatment International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score, followed by men treated with primary hemi-cryoablation and primary subtotal cryoablation. The American Urological Association (AUA) symptom scores decreased regardless of the type of partial gland ablation performed, with subtotal ablation having the lowest score compared with hemiablation and focal cryoablation. No patient developed a fistula in the primary group, and 1 (9%) patient developed a fistula in the salvage group. Conclusion: Individualized partial gland cryoablation of the prostate is able to achieve excellent oncological and functional outcomes in select men with localized prostate cancer.

Prostate minimally invasive procedures: complications and normal vs. abnormal findings on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

Minimally invasive alternatives to traditional prostate surgery are increasingly utilized to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and localized prostate cancer in select patients. Advantages of these treatments over prostatectomy include lower risk of complication, shorter length of hospital stay, and a more favorable safety profile. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has become a widely accepted imaging modality for evaluation of the prostate gland and provides both anatomical and functional information. As prostate mpMRI and minimally invasive prostate procedure volumes increase, it is important for radiologists to be familiar with normal post-procedure imaging findings and potential complications. This paper reviews the indications, procedural concepts, common post-procedure imaging findings, and potential complications of prostatic artery embolization, prostatic urethral lift, irreversible electroporation, photodynamic therapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound, focal cryotherapy, and focal laser ablation.

Salvage Focal Cryotherapy Offers Similar Short-term Oncologic Control and Improved Urinary Function Compared With Salvage Whole Gland Cryotherapy for Radiation-resistant or Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We compared the short-term oncologic and functional outcomes of salvage focal cryotherapy (SFC) with those of salvage total cryotherapy (STC) for radiotherapy (RT)-persistent/recurrent prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We queried the Cryo On-Line Database registry for men who had undergone SFC and STC of the prostate for RT-persistent or recurrent disease. Propensity score weighting was used to match age at treatment, presalvage therapy prostate-specific antigen level, Gleason sum, and presalvage cryotherapy androgen deprivation therapy status. The primary outcome was progression-free survival. RESULTS: A total of 385 men with biopsy-proven persistent or recurrent prostate cancer after primary RT were included in the present study. The median follow-up, age, prostate-specific antigen, and Gleason sum before salvage cryotherapy was 24.4 months (first and third quartile, 9.8 and 60.3), 70 years (first and third quartile, 66 and 74 years), 4 ng/dL (first and third quartile, 2.7 and 5.6 ng/dL), and 7 (first and third quartile, 6 and 8), respectively. After propensity score weighting, the difference in progression-free survival was not statistically significant between the patients who had undergone STC and those who had undergone SFC (79.8% vs. 76.98%; P = .11 on weighted log-rank test). SFC was associated with a lower probability of post-treatment transient urinary retention (5.6% vs. 22.4%; P < .001). No significant differences were found in the incidence of rectal fistula (1.4% vs. 3.8; P = .30), new-onset urinary incontinence within 12 months (9.3% vs. 15.1%; P = .19), or new-onset erectile dysfunction within 12 months (52.6% vs. 59.6%; P = .47) between the SFC and STC groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: STC resulted in similar 2-year oncologic outcomes compared with SFC in the RT-persistent/recurrent disease population. However, the patients who had undergone SFC had a lower urinary retention rate compared with those who had undergone STC.