TRINITAS HOPSITAL PERFORMS INNOVATIVE CRYOSURGERY PROCEDURE FOR PROSTATE CANCER

An innovative procedure at Trinitas Hospital is bringing new hope to the estimated 220,000 American men who are diagnosed every year with prostate cancer.

Contact: Fred Yaeger
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TRINITAS HOPSITAL PERFORMS INNOVATIVE CRYOSURGERY PROCEDURE FOR PROSTATE CANCER
Trinitas Hospital Surgeons Save Lives Using Cryosurgery Technique

ELIZABETH, NJ (PRWEB) August, 2003 -- An innovative procedure at Trinitas Hospital is bringing new hope to the estimated 220,000 American men who are diagnosed every year with prostate cancer, which occurs when malignant cells develop and form a tumor in the prostate gland. Targeted Cryoablation of the Prostate (TCAP) is a minimally invasive, one-to-two-hour procedure performed in the operating room and Trinitas Hospital is the first hospital in Central New Jersey to offer this high-tech medical procedure that saves lives.

Using the latest computerized imaging and monitoring techniques, urologists at Trinitas insert between five and eight thin probes into the prostate. Sophisticated ultrasound images provide the physician with views from several angles to ensure that the probes are positioned correctly and are at the proper depth. These probes measure temperature and also serve as the instruments through which freezing argon gas is introduced. The freezing gas remains in the probe, reducing its temperature to minus 50 degrees Celsius.

This extreme cold enables us to precisely freeze and destroy cancerous tissue in and around the prostate gland," said urologist and surgeon Alan P. Krieger, MD, Department of Urology at Trinitas. Helium gas is passed through the probes after the freeze in order to thaw the treated area, which is then frozen a second time to help ensure the destruction of all cancer cells."

As the freezing agent is administered, temperature sensors carefully monitor the target area, assuring the urologist that temperatures are reached and that nearby areas such as the bladder and rectum are not affected. A warming catheter inserted into the patient's urethra helps to protect it from the cold temperatures, greatly reducing the possibility of incontinence.

The minimally invasive procedure is performed in the operating room under local or general anesthesia, allowing patients to have a single day outpatient procedure or one night stay in the hospital.

We are witnessing excellent results with cryosurgery, usually with little or no side effect," said Dr. Krieger. Cryosurgery is now a viable option for men who have recurrent prostate cancer following radiation therapy as long as the cancer has not spread outside the prostate, according to Dr. Krieger. Many of these men would have had to stay on hormone therapy the rest of their lives in an attempt to slow down any future growth or spread of the prostate cancer, but with cryosurgery, we are able to kill the tumor that developed after failed radiation treatment."

Dr. Krieger adds that cryosurgery is also a viable option for those men who would otherwise choose radiation therapy as a primary treatment but who are concerned about the potential side effects radiation therapy may cause."

Dr. Krieger completed an intensive training course taught by Aaron Katz, MD, Associate Professor of Urology at Columbia University.
Our results reveal that cryosurgery is an effective form of treatment against prostate cancer, and many urologists are adapting it into their practice" says Dr. Katz. Dr. Krieger has excellent skills and training as a urologist, and has become a skilled prostate cryosurgeon."

Dr. Krieger is also certified to perform cryosurgery for kidney cancers. Treating localized kidney cancers with cryosurgery is also a good alternative treatment in selected patients with smaller-sized kidney tumors," he said, adding that the ultimate result of any surgical procedure depends on the proper selection of patients.

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About Trinitas Hospital
Trinitas Hospital is a full service healthcare facility and a Catholic teaching hospital sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, serving those who live and work in Eastern and Central Union County. On two major campuses, Trinitas Hospital offers comprehensive medical/surgical services, senior services, adult and child/adolescent psychiatric care, cardiac care, cancer services, an infectious disease program, and maternal/child health services including a high-risk newborn nursery and inpatient pediatric care.