Werneburg GT, et al. - This paper entailed an examination of the effects of focal (hemiablation) or total cryotherapy and minimum tumor temperature on the patient-reported quality of life (QoL) in prostate cancer patients. Researchers perceived that the focal cryotherapy and moderate-cold (≥-76°C) temperature were linked with favorable sexual function relative to total cryotherapy and very cold temperature, respectively. Data did not disclose any notable variations in the urinary function or bowel habits between the groups.

Methods

• Experts performed an appraisal of an IRB-approved database for patients who underwent cryotherapy or active surveillance (AS).
• As a part of this study, QoL questionnaire responses were cumulated and scores were examined for variations between focal vs total cryotherapy and very cold (<-76° C) vs moderate-cold (≥-76°C) minimum tumor temperatures.

Results

• Response was yielded from 197 patients to a total of 547 questionnaires.
• Focal and total cryotherapy patients reported initially lower sexual function scores relative to AS (year 1 mean difference focal: -31.7, p < 0.001; total: -48.1, p < 0.001).
• A link was illustrated between focal cryotherapy with a more rapid improvement in sexual function.
• Both focal and total cryotherapy sexual function scores did not exhibit any statistically prominent variation from the AS cohort by post-procedural year 4.
• It was determined that very cold and moderate-cold temperatures gave rise to initially lower sexual function scores relative to AS (year 1 very cold: -38.1, p < 0.001; moderate-cold: -30.7, p < 0.001).
• As per the outcomes, a more rapid improvement was noted in the moderate-cold temperature scores compared to those of very cold temperature.
• Very cold and moderate-cold temperatures did not display any statistically marked difference in the sexual function scores relative to AS by post-procedural year 4.
• No substantial variation was disclosed in the urinary function and bowel habits between focal and total cryotherapy, or very cold vs moderate-cold temperature groups.