Cryoablation for Cancer Procedure
Overview
Cryoablation is a method in cancer therapy that relies on extremely cold temperatures to destroy cancer cells. This technique uses slim metal probes, which doctors insert directly into the tissue where cancer is present. The probes deliver a very cold gas that rapidly freezes and kills not only tumor cells, but also surrounding abnormal or precancerous tissue, such as abnormal cervical cells.
This approach is minimally invasive, meaning it usually requires only small skin punctures, not large surgical cuts. Doctors may choose cryoablation as a cancer treatment when surgery is not possible or preferred. It is also an option for reducing symptoms or pain when cancer has spread.
Cryoablation can be effective for several types of cancer, including those affecting soft tissues and organs. Medical literature may also refer to it as cryosurgery or cryotherapy. The main benefits include faster recovery times and less harm to healthy tissue around the treated area.
Main Reasons for Use
Cryoablation targets and destroys cancer cells by freezing them. Doctors often consider it when patients cannot have surgery due to the size of a tumor or health concerns that make operations risky. This option sometimes suits those with cancers that are hard to remove completely.
Types of Cancers Treated with Cryoablation
- Breast cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer, including unresectable HCC
- Skin cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Bone cancer
Doctors can use cryoablation to help control pain and other symptoms when cancer has spread to bones, organs, or lymph nodes. They may also combine it with other treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, radiofrequency ablation, immunotherapies, or irreversible electroporation.
Possible Complications
Cryoablation can cause several side effects and complications. Some people feel pain or swelling in the treated area. Patients may also experience bleeding, bruising, or formation of blood clots. Sometimes, the skin or tissues near the procedure may become numb or develop nerve damage, which can also affect feeling or movement. Other possible side effects include:
- Infection: The area can become red, swollen, or filled with pus.
- Scarring: As the area heals, visible marks might remain.
- Risks from Anesthesia: Some patients may have bad reactions to pain medication.
- Injury to Nearby Organs: The procedure may harm surrounding healthy tissues and organs if they are too close to the ice ball used in the treatment.
- Pneumothorax: Especially when treating lung tumors, air can leak into the chest, causing the lung to collapse.
One condition called post-ablation syndrome may occur a few days after treatment. Symptoms such as fever, chills, and feeling tired can last about five days, but for some, they last up to three weeks.
Rare and serious events include cryoshock, which can lead to organ failure and is more common during liver treatment. Another rare reaction, known as cryoreaction, might cause fever, rapid breathing, fast heartbeat, and sometimes temporary kidney problems.
| Possible Adverse Events | Description |
|---|---|
| Swelling and pain | Lasting discomfort at site |
| Infection | Redness, pus, fever |
| Bleeding or blood clots | Risk of blocked blood vessels |
| Nerve injury or numbness | Changes in feeling or movement |
| Pneumothorax | Collapsed lung (lung treatment) |
| Post-ablation syndrome | Flu-like symptoms, fever |
| Cryoshock | Life-threatening organ damage |
| Cryoreaction | Chills, fever, kidney issues |
Steps for Getting Ready
Preparation for a minimally invasive treatment like cryoablation involves careful planning. Doctors usually order imaging tests, such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI, to pinpoint the exact spot needing care. These tests help guide the use of thin needles or small devices during the procedure.
A doctor may instruct a person to stop taking blood-thinning medications a few days before surgery. Always confirm with the healthcare team before making any medication changes. It is often important to avoid eating or drinking for a set period before the procedure. The care team will provide specific instructions.
Some procedures need general or local anesthesia. After the treatment—which often occurs as an outpatient procedure—patients should plan for a ride home and might need to stay overnight in the hospital.
What You Can Expect
What Happens During Treatment
Patients usually have cryoablation done at a hospital. The medical team may give a general anesthetic to help the patient sleep through the treatment, or a regional anesthetic to numb only the treatment area while the patient stays awake.
After anesthesia, the interventional radiologist carefully places thin metal probes or needles—often called cryoprobes—directly into the tumor or target spot. Special imaging equipment, such as CT scans, MRI, or ultrasound, guides the placement for accuracy.
Once the probes are in place, a gas like argon or liquid nitrogen flows through them. This creates extreme cold, freezing and destroying abnormal tissue. The medical team monitors the temperature and the targeted area using real-time imaging to ensure the correct tissue is treated.
Key Equipment
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Cryoprobe | Delivers extreme cold |
| Ultrasound, CT, MRI | Guides probe placement |
| Argon gas/Liquid nitrogen | Causes freezing |
What to Expect After Treatment
After tumor cryoablation, some patients return home the same day, while others may need to stay at the hospital overnight. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics to help prevent infections.
Mild side effects, such as soreness or bruising, can appear where the probes entered the body. These symptoms generally last a few days. Most people are able to resume normal daily routines within a short time after percutaneous cryotherapy. Imaging scans may be scheduled afterwards to check the treatment area.
Treatment Outcomes
After cryoablation, patients usually attend scheduled follow-up visits. These check-ups include imaging scans and lab tests to assess the response of cancer cells and tumor tissue.
Potential Benefits
- Destruction of abnormal and cancerous cells.
- Reduction in tumor size.
- Possible control of metastatic tumors.
Doctors sometimes observe fewer complications, quicker recovery, and signs of cell death, such as apoptosis and necrosis. They can also monitor the immune response during these evaluations.
