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Prospective trial of cryosurgical ablation of the prostate: five-year results

Donnelly BJ, Saliken JC, Ernst DS, Ali-Ridha N, Brasher PM, Robinson JW, Rewcastle JC

Urology, 2002

76 participants

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine in a prospective pilot study the safety and efficacy of cryosurgical ablation for localized prostate carcinoma.

METHODS: A total of 87 cryosurgical procedures were performed on 76 consecutive patients between December 1994 and February 1998. All patients had histologically proved adenocarcinoma of the prostate, with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) readings of less than 30 ng/mL. Clinical evaluations, PSA determinations, and patient self-reported quality-of-life questionnaires (functional assessment of cancer treatment-prostate; FACT-P) were used to determine biochemical and clinical disease-free status and complications. Patients had a mean follow-up of 50 months (minimum 36).

RESULTS: Follow-up biopsies were performed in 73 patients, and 72 were negative for malignancy after one or more treatments. Ten patients required two treatments and 1 patient required three treatments. The 5-year overall and cancer-specific survival rate was 89% (95% confidence interval, 83% to 97%) and 98.6% (95% confidence interval, 96% to 100%), respectively. The undetectable PSA rate (less than 0.3 ng/mL) for low-risk patients (n = 13) was 60% at 5 years; for moderate-risk patients (n = 23), it was 77%, and for high-risk patients (n = 40), 48%. The corresponding percentage of patients with a PSA level less than 1.0 ng/mL at 5 years was 75%, 89%, and 76%. Sloughing occurred in 3 patients (3.9%), incontinence in 1 (1.3%), and testicular abscess in 1 (1.3%). At 3 years, 18…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a clinical trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 76 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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