To report on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and major complications in patients with prior prostate resection that underwent cryosurgery (CS) for prostate cancer.

The Columbia University Urologic Oncology database identified patients that underwent CS after resection. Patient demographics, surgical details, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, biopsy results, major complications, and BCR were recorded.

Prior resection for benign prostatic hyperplasia was identified in 32 patients who underwent CS. Median age was 70.7 years (range 54.9-83.1 years). Median prostate volume before and after resection was 40 (range 30-90) and 20 cm³ (range 9-54), respectively. Median time from resection to CS was 50.4 months (range 0-178.1 months). Twenty-one (16 full and 5 focal gland ablations) and 11 patients underwent primary and salvage CS, respectively. Median prostate-specific antigen at CS was 5.9 ng/mL (range 0.1-18.4 ng/mL), with a median nadir post-CS of 0.1 ng/mL (range 0.04-12.2 ng/mL). Median follow-up was 41.2 months (range 8.9-154.2 months). According to Stuttgart and Phoenix definitions, 11 and 10 patients, respectively, experienced BCR. Three patients underwent further CS for disease recurrence. Overall complications were rare and minor. Patients with smaller glands postresection (<20 cc³) experienced a similar incidence of BCR as those with larger glands after CS in all the settings.

Although no patients experienced major complications after primary CS, 18% (2/11) had grade III or higher complications in the salvage setting. Postresection gland volume was not associated with BCR. Further research is needed to evaluate functional and oncological outcomes in postresection patients after CS because they are considered high-risk for major complications.