What is involved in cryotherapy treatment?
In prostate cryotherapy probes (called cryoprobes) that contain cooling argon gas and warming helium gas are inserted through the perineum in an operation. Usually about 6 to 8 cryoprobes are inserted into the body and are guided into the correct position by the use of ultrasound. In addition to the probes thermocouples and a device to warm the urethral are inserted, this enables the temperature of the prostate to be accurately measured, and helps to prevent the urethra from being froze. It is important that the freezing probe is only in contact with tissue that needs to be destroyed; this occurs at a temperature of – 40oC.
