Cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy or cryoablation, is a minimally-invasive surgical procedure in which extreme cold is used to freeze and destroy abnormal and diseased tissues, including cancer cells.
Cryosurgery primarily involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the abnormal tissues, although carbon dioxide and argon may also be used.
Types:
Cryosurgery is of the following different types:
External cryotherapy: It involves applying the liquid nitrogen directly to the cancer cells using a cotton swab or spraying device. It is mainly done in cases of external solid tumors, such as skin cancer.
Internal cryotherapy: It is generally performed in cases of internal cancers, like prostate and liver cancer, and may be performed in the following different ways:
Open surgery
Laparoscopic or percutaneous access
Cryosurgery may be done to treat the following different types of cancers:
Diagnosis:
Physical examination: The patient’s physical health, medical history, and symptoms are noted by the doctor.
Blood tests: Some underlying medical disorders can be detected using blood tests.
Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasounds are the different kinds of imaging tests performed to obtain clear images of suspected cancerous organs.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): The electrical activity of the heart can be recorded using this test.
Biopsy: A small part of the suspected tissue growth is surgically removed by the doctor and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.
Cryosurgery can be performed in the following different ways:
Topical cryotherapy:
Liquid nitrogen is placed on the skin using a spray or cotton swab.
A numbing medication is applied to the skin before applying liquid nitrogen to prevent discomfort during the procedure.
Open surgery:
This procedure may be performed under local anesthesia (numbing the area of treatment) or general anesthesia (the patient will be put to sleep during the procedure), depending on the area undergoing treatment.
The treatment area is first shaved and sterilized.
A small incision or cut is made in the treatment area.
A cryoprobe (needle-like, hollow applicator) is inserted through the incision made.
This cryoprobe will circulate extremely cold gas, like liquid nitrogen, compressed argon, or liquid nitrous oxide gas to the affected organ.
Various imaging tests are used during the procedure to locate the exact area of treatment.
The abnormal or diseased tissue is touched with the cryoprobe for a couple of seconds or minutes, either once or more than once.
The intense cold will freeze and destroy the diseased tissue.
The surgeon takes out the cryoprobe and closes the incision after the completion of the procedure.
Laparoscopic or percutaneous surgery:
Small keyhole incisions are first made in the treatment area.
A tube having a camera on one end, called a laparoscope, is inserted through one of the tiny holes made.
The cryoprobe and other small surgical instruments are inserted through the other holes to carry out the procedure of cryosurgery.
Once the procedure is completed, the holes are closed using sutures.
The side effects of cryosurgery may vary according to the body part being treated, and may include the following:
Abnormal cervical cells:
Bleeding
Infection
Pain
Cramping
Skin tumors:
Swelling
Nerve damage
Scarring
Sensation loss
Hair loss in the treatment area
Skin pigment loss in the treatment area
Bone tumors:
Damage to surrounding bone tissue
Fracture of bones
Liver tumors:
Bleeding
Infection
Bile duct damage
Blood vessel damage
Prostate cancer:
Impotence
Incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine)
Blood in urine
Blocked urinary flow
Rectal damage
Fistula formation (abnormal opening between bladder and rectum)
Swelling of the penis
Swelling of the scrotum
M.B.B.S., M.D., D.M.R.T. - Radiation Oncologist
M.B.B.S., M.D.(Radiotherapy) - Radiation Oncologist
M.B.B.S., D.M.R.T., D.N.B.(Radiation Oncology), CCEPC - Radiation Oncologist