Cryoablation precision cancer treatment with minimal scarring, maximising patient comfort and recovery

Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases and remains a challenge to every health system in the world. While traditional approaches to treatment like surgical intervention, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have progressed, these treatments often have huge side effects and could be highly invasive. Recently, cryoablation has emerged as a promising modality, serving as either an alternative or complementary therapy. The innovative treatment takes advantage of the extreme cold temperature in the form of ice to eliminate cancer cells, offering a less aggressive treatment, with potential benefits in recovery and patient safety.

What is Cryoablation?

Cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys tumor cells using extreme cold temperature. A thin, flexible probe is inserted into the tumor and then cooled to -20°C or -30°C using argon gas or liquid nitrogen. The procedure disrupts the cellular integrity of the tumor, causing cancer cells to freeze and die due to extreme cold temperature. The procedure is done under local anesthesia; therefore, patients do not experience much pain.

Advantages of Cryoablation

• Minimally invasive procedure: A significant advantage of cryoablation is that it is minimally invasive. Unlike traditional surgery, which requires large incisions, cryoablation requires only a very small pinhole sized incision for the cryoprobe. This results in minimal scarring and significantly faster recovery time for patients.
• Less Pain and Discomfort: Cryoablation is significantly less painful than conventional surgery. The procedure utilises extreme cold temperature which has an anesthetic effect, reducing the need of strong painkillers post-operation. In fact, most patients can undergo cryoablation under local anesthesia, with mild sedation, which further reduces discomfort.
• Fast Recovery: Most patients after cryoablation shows rapid recovery. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure, reduced pain at the site of treatment, and minimal discomfort hasten the recovery process, reducing hospital stays and allowing the patient to resume routine activities within a very short period. In many cases, as documented in several clinical cases, the patients are discharged the next day.
• Real-time Monitoring: Another advantage of cryoablation is that, with the use of imaging techniques, one can monitor the real-time process. This helps in precise formation of the ice ball around the tumor, thereby increasing the accuracy and effectiveness of the treatment.

Applications of Cryoablation

Cryoablation is applied to various cancers, making it a versatile and effective treatment modality.

• Breast cancer: Cryoablation is recommended for patients with breast cancer, particularly those whose tumors have failed other treatments. It is associated with better preservation of the breast tissue and leads to far superior cosmetics when compared to the available alternatives.
• Kidney Cancer: Cryoablation is an established and good treatment approach for small renal tumors. This is associated with less discomfort compared to partial nephrectomy and is ideal for those patients who are at a poor surgical risk due to other diseases or disorders.
• Lung Cancer: Cryoablation can effectively treat the tumors with minimal impact on lung function in patients who are at the initial stages of lung cancer or for whom surgical procedures are impossible.
• Bone Cancer: Cryoablation reduces pain and slows the growth of the tumors, allowing patients to perform normal daily activities. This treatment can be used alongside other treatment therapies to improve the quality of life.
• Prostate Cancer: Cryoablation is indicated for patients with localised prostate cancer. Thus, this offers a less invasive treatment compared to radical prostatectomy with fewer side effects.
• Cryoanalgesia: Cryoanalgesia can significantly improve the quality of life for individuals with acute or chronic pain, decreased intensity of the level, improved mobility, and functional activities, sleep time management and more. With cryoanalgesia, patients are able to do things with less pain in their daily lives and can get back to a more independent life.

Example for better understanding:

A 32-year-old female patient from Delhi was getting treated at the Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre for metastatic breast cancer while it was spreading to her bones. While the bone cancer showed a good response to hormonal therapy, the cancer in her breast didn’t respond to it. With such a young age and the possibility of avoiding any major surgery, she was treated with cryoablation for quick recovery and minimal scarring. She was discharged the very next day in good condition.

The Future of Cryoablation:

The future of cryoablation is highly promising, considering continued research and technological development to make it more effective and increase its possibilities of application. Combining cryoablation with other approaches, like immunotherapy, has even better prospects for patients suffering from cancer diseases. With growing interest in this approach among healthcare providers, cryoablation is finding its place in the list of standard options for several kinds of cancer treatments and providing an opportunity for patients to have a much less invasive but very effective alternative to conventional surgery.

Cryoablation is one of the most advanced approaches to treating cancer, offering precision, minimal scarring, reduced pain, and fast recovery. It gives hope and an improved quality of life to patients suffering from cancer. Further steps towards innovative adoption will make cryoablation shift the face of cancer care forever.

References:

1. https://academic.oup.com/jbi/article/5/6/646/7320154 
2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cryoablation-for-cancer/about/pac-20385216
3. https://www.curetoday.com/view/cryoablation-a-viable-option-for-eradication-of-breast-cancer-tumors