When a doctor tells you or someone you know has cancer, the first question that comes to mind is, "Can this be removed through surgery?" In most cases, surgery is the best solution. However, there are times when surgery is not always possible. Sometimes, surgery can be risky because of the location of the cancer or the patient's other health conditions. In such cases, we are talking about a special treatment that doctors may recommend to destroy cancer cells. That is Cryoablation.
Simply put, what is Cryoablation?
Cryoablation is a treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze abnormal cells, especially cancer cells. Think of it this way, just like water freezing, this method freezes the liquid inside the cancer cells.
This is done using a special needle-like device (a `cryoprobe`). This device contains a very cold gas (such as liquid nitrogen or argon gas). When the doctor touches the cancer tumor with this device, the cancer cells freeze and die due to the extreme cold. Over time, the dead cells are removed from the body and the cancer tumor shrinks. This treatment is sometimes called `cryosurgery`.
In what cases would a doctor recommend this treatment?
Surgery is usually the first choice if it is possible. However, when surgery is not possible or appropriate, cryoablation is a valuable option. Here are some of the main situations in which a doctor may recommend this treatment.
| Situation | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Small or early stage cancer | This method is used for cancerous tumors that can be reached without a large incision, only by making a small hole in the skin's surface. |
| Surgical removal of dangerous cancer | If the cancer is in a very sensitive area, for example, very close to an important organ, surgery could damage that organ. In such cases, this method is safe. |
| Metastatic Cancer | If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body and is causing pain or other discomfort, this treatment can be used to control that pain. It is called Palliative Cryoablation. |
Types of cancer treated with this method
Cryoablation is used to treat a variety of cancers, including:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcomas (cancers of connective tissue)
- Thyroid cancer
How do you prepare before treatment?
If you decide to have this treatment, your doctor and medical team will give you clear instructions about what to expect. If you are under general anesthesia, you will be asked to fast for a few hours. These are the general things you need to prepare for.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home: You may not be able to drive yourself after treatment.
- Stopping certain medications: You may be asked to stop taking blood thinners, aspirin, and NSAIDs (pain relievers) for a few days. This is to reduce the risk of bleeding during treatment.
- Taking medication prescribed by the doctor: You may be prescribed medication to start early to prevent pain or infection.
The most important thing is to inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, even vitamins, before treatment.
What actually happens during treatment?
When you go into the treatment room, you will first be given anesthesia. This may be local anesthesia, which numbs only the area being treated, or general anesthesia, which puts you completely to sleep. Then, here's what happens step by step:
1. The doctor only makes a very small puncture in the skin at the treatment site.
2. Through that hole, a special needle, called a `cryoprobe`, is inserted into the area where the cancer is located.
3. This is not just a guess. The cryoprobe is precisely positioned by looking at the location of the tumor on a screen using technology such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan .
4. Then, the extreme cold of the `cryoprobe` is applied to the cancer for a few seconds or minutes. The cells in that area freeze, becoming like a ball of ice.
5. After a while, the ice ball is allowed to thaw after the freezing stops. This process of freezing and thawing is what destroys the cancer cells.
6. Sometimes you have to do this process several times to destroy the entire tumor.
7. Finally, the cryoprobe is removed and something like a small plaster is applied to that small hole.
In some cases, especially for abdominal cancers, this is also done using the `laparoscopic surgery` (keyhole surgery) method. Then, several small incisions are made and several `cryoprobes` are inserted to perform the treatment.
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
Like any treatment, this one has both benefits and minor risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| There is less pain because there is no big incision. | Minor skin burns at the treatment site. |
| The recovery time is short, and you can return to normal life quickly. | Infection (very rare). |
| There will be no major scars. | Minor damage to surrounding healthy tissue or nerves. |
| Side effects are few. | Complications related to anesthesia (e.g. nausea). |
The risk of this happening is very low. The doctor will explain everything to you.
What happens after treatment?
Most people can go home the same day of treatment. You may need to stay in the hospital overnight. You can usually return to your normal activities within two days to a week . However, this may vary depending on your condition, so it is important to follow your doctor's instructions carefully .
After treatment, the destroyed cancer cells are gradually "cleaned up" and eliminated by our body's own immune system. As a result, the cancer gradually shrinks.
When should I see the doctor again?
You will be asked to come back for a follow-up examination a few weeks after treatment. However, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your doctor immediately:
- Excessive swelling at the treated area.
- Fever (greater than 38.4°C / 101°F).
- Something like pus oozing from the hole.
- Redness or discoloration of the skin around the treatment area.
Take-Home Message
- Cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment that destroys cancer cells by freezing them with extreme cold.
- This is a very good option in cases where major surgery is not possible or is risky.
- This results in less pain, scarring, and healing time than regular surgery.
- After treatment, dead cancer cells are eliminated by the body's natural processes.
- This is not a treatment that is suitable for all cancers or all situations. Your doctor is the best person to decide whether this is right for you. So talk to your doctor about this openly.
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