Combined cryotherapy and external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of intermediate-risk localized prostate cancer: A case series

Introduction: Routine PSA screening for prostate cancer (PCa) has increased the detection of intermediate-risk, localized disease. Conventional treatments for localized PCa include surgery, brachytherapy, cryotherapy or external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). However, for intermediate risk patients, rates of recurrence are moderately high and a multi-modal treatment approach for these patients may be necessary. We treated patients with a combination of cryotherapy and low dose EBRT to assess the safety and feasibility of this combinatory approach as well as to evaluate early oncological outcomes. Case Presentation: Men with intermediate risk (PSA = 10 20 ng/ml and/or Gleason = 7 and/or clinical T2b) localized PCa were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients underwent cryotherapy and then 39 Gy EBRT 4 6 weeks after surgery. After completing EBRT, the men were followed every 3 months for 2 years. Adverse events, PSA, urinary and erectile function were assessed during each follow-up. Three patients completed the study. Preoperative PSA ranged from 3.5 to 7.9 ng/ml. There were no intraoperative complications and the treatment was well tolerated. Following cryotherapy and EBRT, all patients were pad-free within 6 months and remained continent for the duration of the study. Bother index remained stable throughout the study for all patients. No urethral strictures or rectal toxicities were observed. PSA remained undetectable for all patients. Conclusions: In this prospective study, cryotherapy combined with low dose EBRT was a safe approach for the treatment of intermediate-risk, localized PCa. Early oncological outcomes appeared to be favorable with all patients having undetectable PSA during the 2-year follow-up period. Further studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.