Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Hickory, NC is the first in the regionto offer patients the state-of-the-art, minimally invasive cryotherapuetic SeedNet™ treatment for freezing and destroying prostate cancer.  Edward R. Gerrard Sr., MD, a board-certified urologist, along with Edward R. Gerrard Jr., MD; David M. Hardaway Jr., MD, and and Geoffrey D. DeLeary, MD, led the effort to bring the new treatment system to CVMC and has used it to successfully treat about a dozen prostate cancer patients to date.

“Offering the cryotherapuetic procedure to my patients gives them an effective, minimally invasive, repeatable, cutting-edge medical treatment for prostate cancer.  By using the new technology, I can provide an alternative treatment which may dramatically improve patient care and quality of life for men with this life-threatening disease,” said Dr. Gerrard Sr.

“Bringing SeedNet to CVMC allows our patients to gain access to one of the most advanced treatments for prostate cancer. We are profoundly grateful to Dr. Gerrard Sr. for his role in introducing this powerful treatment modality to patients in our region,” said J. Anthony Rose, CVMC President and CEO.

In a system modeled after the brachytherapy insertion techniques already used by radiation oncologists and urologists, ultra-thin needles are inserted percutaneously into the prostate under ultrasound guidance.  SeedNet™ needles then generate IceSeeds™ that deliver temperatures of lower than minus 40 degrees Celsius to safely freeze, ablate and eliminate the diseased prostate while avoiding damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Studies show that 50,000 men per year experience a recurrence of prostate cancer after primary treatment.  Freezing the prostate is the most feasible option if cancer recurs locally due to radiation or other treatment failures.  Cryosurgery is also an effective option for patients who, because of age or other health issues, can not or do not wish to undergo surgical removal of the diseased prostate gland.

Urologist Dr. Gerrard Sr. has been treating patients in the Hickory area since 1974.  He performs cryosurgery at CVMC and sees patients at Viewmont Urology Center at 1202 North Center Street, Hickory.

Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.