Treating Cancer or Tumors Without Surgery Using Extreme Cold (Cryoablation)

• Cryoablation can be used to treat cancers or tumors in the breast, kidney, lung, liver, bone, soft tissues, muscles, as well as vascular malformation tumors.
• Cryoablation is a treatment option for patients who do not want surgery or who are at high risk and unable to undergo surgery. It helps relieve pain from cancerous or tumor masses, involves small wounds, causes less pain, and allows quick recovery.
• Cryoablation is suitable for cancer or tumor masses about 2–4 centimeters in size that can be located using ultrasound imaging.

What is cryoablation?

Cryoablation is a modern treatment technology that uses extremely low temperatures to destroy cancer cells. Currently, there are two main types of cryoablation technology based on their mechanisms: using inert gases like argon or helium, and using liquid nitrogen. Both methods are safe and offer comparable treatment effectiveness.

Steps for treating cancerous tumors using cryoablation

Cryoablation is performed by an interventional radiologist who uses ultrasound and/or computed tomography (CT scan) to guide the procedure. This allows the cryoprobe needle to be precisely and safely inserted into the tumor without the need for surgical incisions.

The key equipment used is the cryoprobe, a very small needle comparable in size to a pen tip. Once inserted into the tumor, it delivers extreme cold to selectively destroy cancer cells at that location.

By combining medical imaging guidance with the new small-sized cryoprobe needle, the resulting wound is minimal—about the size of a needle puncture—and typically heals on its own within approximately 3–5 days.

Advantages of cryoablation treatment

1. Causes less pain than heat ablation methods
   • Compared to heat ablation treatments such as Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) or Microwave Ablation, cryoablation generally causes patients less pain during and after the procedure.
2. Helps relieve pain caused by cancer or tumors
3. Besides destroying cancerous or tumor masses, cryoablation can also help reduce pain caused by these masses.
4. An option for patients who cannot undergo surgery or prefer non-surgical treatment
5. Small wounds, rapid recovery, and short hospital stays

Types of cancer and tumors treatable by cryoablation

• Cancerous or tumor masses in the breast
• Cancerous or tumor masses in the kidney
• Cancerous or tumor masses in the lung
• Cancerous or tumor masses in the liver
• Cancerous or tumor masses in bone, soft tissue, and muscle
• Tumors caused by vascular abnormalities such as hemangiomas and venous malformations

Patients suitable for cryoablation treatment

Cryoablation is suitable for patients with tumors or cancerous masses about 2–4 centimeters in size that can be located via ultrasound to allow precise planning and treatment.

How often is treatment needed?

Generally, cryoablation treatment is performed once because the tumor cells at the targeted area are destroyed by the extreme cold during the procedure. However, the number of treatments may vary depending on the size, location, and characteristics of the tumor and the treating physician’s discretion.

Post-treatment recommendations after cryoablation

After the procedure, patients may experience mild pain or tightness at the treatment site, which can be managed with pain relievers such as paracetamol. Typically, patients stay in the hospital for observation for one night and can go home the next day. No additional wound care is usually needed, but waterproof dressings should be kept on for at least 72 hours. Patients should avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for three days after treatment.

Information provided by : Dr. Sukrit Solaspinya, board-certified radiologist and interventional radiologist specializing in minimally invasive treatmentsSamitivej Sukhumvit Hospital