Introduction: Given the increasing interest in partial gland cryo-ablation as a treatment modality and the lack of data surrounding urinary and sexual outcomes after the procedure, the goal of this analysis was to assess functional outcomes following partial gland cryo-ablation (PGCA) stratified according to baseline severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile function (EF). A secondary goal was to also determine if there were any clinical factors associated with significant change in LUTS and EF.
Materials and methods: Since 3/2017, all men undergoing primary PGCA were offered enrollment into an IRB-approved prospective outcomes registry. Men were given International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) surveys prior to and 6 months post treatment. Differences in IPSS and SHIM scores are described, and factors associated with clinically significant change were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: A total of 100 men completed 6 month follow up. The mean IPSS for the overall cohort decreased 2.1 units (p > 0.05). The mean changes in IPSS for men with baseline mild, moderate, and severe LUTS were 0.9 (p = 0.06), -4.2 (p = 0.001), and -11.1(p = 0.001) units, respectively. The mean changes in the SHIM score for all men were - 5.1 units (p = 0.001). The mean changes in SHIM score for baseline none, mild/mild-to-moderate, moderate-severe ED were -7.6 (p = 0.001), -6.5 (p = 0.001) and -1.1 units (p = 0.27), respectively. No variables of interest were significantly associated with changes in IPSS or SHIM scores.
Conclusion: Stratifying functional outcomes according to baseline IPSS and SHIM is imperative to assess the true impact of PGCA on functional outcomes.
Keywords: cryo-ablation; functional outcomes; partial gland ablation; prostate cancer.