Cryosurgery

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

• Most patients go home on the same day after cryosurgery. 
• If cryosurgery has been performed on an internal organ, the patient could be discharged from the hospital only after a few days.
• The treatment area needs to be kept clean and the bandages need to be changed regularly to prevent infection.
• Daily activities can be resumed immediately following a topical cryotherapy procedure.
• After percutaneous cryosurgery, recovery may take approximately one to three days.
• The patient may resume his/her daily activities approximately seven to ten days after an open surgery procedure.
• Strenuous activities and heavy lifting should be avoided for three days after cryosurgery.
• The patient needs to have regular follow-up appointments with the doctor following the procedure.