Ultrasound in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer Confined to the Prostate

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed organ-confined prostate cancer (clinical stage T1 or T2 only) Pretreatment prostate weight less than 40 g Gleason score no greater than 7 PSA no greater than 10 ng/mL No significant intravesical median lobe (greater than 2 cm) on ultrasound Able to visualize prostate gland adequately on transrectal ultrasound imaging No prostate calcification greater than 5 mm No metastases by bone scan PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 40 to 80 Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: No bleeding disorder as determined by abnormal PT and PTT Renal: No active urinary tract infection No history of urinary bladder neck contracture Other: No prior allergy to latex No Anesthesia Surgical Assignment category IV or greater No interest in future fertility No history of inflammatory bowel disease No other concurrent major debilitating illness No other prior or concurrent malignancy except skin cancer PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: No prior biologic therapy for prostate cancer Chemotherapy: No prior chemotherapy for prostate cancer Endocrine therapy: At least 3 months since prior hormonal therapy (including finasteride) for prostate cancer Radiotherapy: No prior radiotherapy for prostate cancer Surgery: No prior transurethral resection of prostate No prior urethral stent No prior major rectal surgery Other: No prior cryotherapy for prostate cancer No prior thermotherapy No other prior therapy for prostate cancer No concurrent warfarin or other anticoagulant