Home

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery, also called cryotherapy or cryoablation, is the process of freezing cells so that they die. It is used mostly on external tumors, but as technology advances, it is gradually being applied to some internal tumors as well. It requires a smaller incision than regular surgery, and it is used in places where surgery is not possible. However, as with all cancer treatments, there are side effects to cryosurgery.

The process of cryosurgery is done using liquid nitrogen, which is -196 degrees Celsius and -320.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This exposure to such cold temperatures causes the cancer cells to die. On external tumors, the liquid nitrogen is applied to the cancer cells using a cotton swab or a spraying device. On internal tumors, the liquid nitrogen is brought to the tumor through a tool called a cryoprobe. Doctors are able to navigate the cryoprobe to the correct area in the body through ultrasound, which generates moving pictures using high-frequency sound waves. This also helps prevent damaging too many healthy cells nearby.

Cryosurgery is used for localized tumors, where the cells are Cryosurgery is often given in several installments, similar to other cancer treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The cancer cells are frozen, and then allowed to thaw, and then frozen again.

There are a few steps doctors must go through before actually administering cryosurgery. It is not a suitable treatment for everyone. To evaluate whether a patient should receive cryosurgery, several tests are done. A blood test and chest X-ray will be taken to determine whether the patient can undergo the anesthetics needed for the cryosurgery procedure. Other tests will also be done to see whether the patient has any medical problems that may be aggravated by the procedure. If these tests show the patient can receive the treatment, a CT scan and ultrasound will be performed to determine where the cryoprobe should be inserted. When treating prostate cancer, hormone therapy is often given before cryosurgery, so the prostate is reduced in size and there is a greater chance of success.

Cryosurgery is used to treat several different types of cancer. It is shown to be the most effective when it is used on external tumors, such as precancerous skin growths and early-stage skin cancers. It also is commonly used to treat retinoblastoma, a cancer that affects the retina in the eye. More recently, it has been used for prostate cancer and liver cancer. It is also being considered for treatment of some cancers of the bone, brain and spinal cord. It may also be effective in tumors that develop in the windpipe from lung cancer.

There are a few different side effects that can result from cryosurgery. They differ because different cells are affected depending on which cancer is being treated. If it is being used for lung cancer, bile ducts or blood vessels may be damaged, which could lead to hemorrhaging. When it is used for prostate cancer, patients run the risk of damaging their urinary system, making it hard to control urine flow, or impotence.