Cryosurgery -- or cryotherapy -- is a technique in which fine needles are inserted into the prostate and frozen with a mixture of cooled helium and argon. The cooling creates an ice bulb around the needle that kills prostate tissue.

Guided by ultrasound imaging, Duke surgeons can manipulate the tiny needles (the same size as those used to draw blood) to ablate the entire prostate without need for surgery.

Cryosurgery is an outpatient procedure and patients can go home the same day.

It is also used for localized cancers that recur after prior radiation treatments.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Polascik, Thomas J.

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke University Hospital
  2301 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710
• Duke Urology of Raleigh
  3480 Wake Forest Rd., Suite 506, Raleigh, NC 27609