There are three main mechanisms of cell death from freezing: 1) ice crystal formation inside cells which causes lysis, 2) dehydration from a solvent gradient that removes water from extracellular medium, and 3) hypoxic cell death from microvascular destruction during cooling and freezing. Targeted cryoablation of the prostate uses transperineal placement of cryoprobes and temperature probes under ultrasound guidance to freeze and destroy targeted areas of prostate tissue while preserving the urethra.