Operative and Midterm Oncological Outcome of Focal Salvage Cryotherapy for Localized Prostate Cancer

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Local recurrence after radiation therapy for prostate cancer is a major clinical issue. Various local treatments are available with mitigated functional and oncological outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate perioperative and oncological results of salvage cryotherapy (CT) as treatment of local recurrence of prostate cancer. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively reviewed all patients treated with hemi-prostatic salvage CT for local recurrence of prostate cancer in 1 academic hospital between November 2011 and April 2019. Local recurrence was defined according to the Phoenix criteria (prostate-specific antigen [PSA] nadir + 2 ng/mL), associated with a prostatic MRI target lesion and confirmed by biopsy. Perioperative and functional complications were collected. Cox regression was conducted to assess factors associated with time to initiation of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Statistical analyses were conducted using R Studio. <b><i>Results:</i></b> A total of 29 patients were treated with an average follow-up of 37.6 months. Median age at CT was 77 years. Median PSA before CT was 5.1 ng/mL (min-max: 2.74–18). 17.2% of patients displayed a high D’Amico risk group. Median hospital stay was 1.4 days. Four patients (13.8%) experienced postoperative acute urinary retention. Nineteen patients (65.5%) experienced late functional complications (3 erectile dysfunctions, 3 stress incontinence, and 13 urinary frequency). Fourteen patients displayed recurrence after salvage treatment (48.2%). Median time to introduction of ADT was 15.1 months. ADT-free survival at 1 and 2 years was, respectively, 74% and 61%. In multivariate analysis, ISUP score 4 and PSA nadir &#x3c;1 ng/mL after CT were significantly associated with time to ADT initiation. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Salvage focal CT may delay the use of ADT in locally recurrent prostate cancer after RT and offers an alternative for eligible patients. The technique was feasible with acceptable perioperative morbidity and acceptable midterm oncological outcome.