Cryosurgery Procedure for Cancer and Other Conditions

What is cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery involves applying very low temperatures directly into the targeted tissues in the patient's body, causing cell death by freezing. During this procedure, a cryoprobe, a thin metal instrument, might be inserted into or placed against the abnormal tissue, internally or externally.

This probe is often cooled by a cryogen such as liquid nitrogen or argon gas, which helps to freeze the targeted tissue, forming an ‘ice ball’ which encompasses the lesion. The freezing damages cell membranes, often destroys the intracellular structures, and helps to freeze blood vessels supplying the lesion, which often leads to a cell death.

Often a freeze- thaw cycle is used, (freeze, thaw, freeze) to enhance the destruction of the abnormal tissue.

Where these procedure used:

These procedures are generally used in skin lesions (for example, precancerous or superficial cancers), using surface application of liquid nitrogen.

Internal lesions or tumors in organs like the liver, kidney, lung, and prostate, with the help of image guidance tests like ultrasound, CT, or MRI, to place the cryoprobe accurately.

What are the benefits of Cryosurgery?

Here are some of the benefits of cryosurgery, including:

Minimally invasive: For internal tumors, healthcare providers insert a cryoprobe (a thin, wand-like instrument) through a small incision or puncture in the skin. This will significantly reduce the bleeding, scarring, and pain that are typical with major open surgical procedures. 

Faster recovery: Patients often experience less discomfort and can recover quickly from the procedure, in some cases, returning to normal activities with little or no down time. 

Repeatable: Cryosurgery can be safely repeated if necessary, and it can also be combined with other treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. 

Good for high-risk people: This is an effective cancer treatment option for patients who cannot undergo some conventional surgery due to their age or other health conditions. 

Precise targeting: When treating some internal tumors, many doctors use image guiding techniques such as ultrasound, MRI to drive the cryoprobe and precisely target the abnormal tissue. It helps to protect surrounding healthy tissues from damage. 

Practical Patient Advice & What to discuss with your Doctor?

If you are being advised to get cryosurgery (or have recommended it), here are a few things to keep in mind, including:

Before cryosurgery procedure:

• Ask questions such as ‘Is my tumor reachable by a cryoprobe?’ Or are imaging and guidance facilities available?
• Try to understand any types of prerequisites which might include medications such as blood thinners, fasting, baseline testing.
• Ask your healthcare team about ‘how to do cryosurgery for your type of tumour’ and what types of treatment outcomes have achieved. 

During the procedure:

• Ask questions such as ‘Will I be given local anesthesia or local/regional?
• Clarify all of your doubts, like how many probes will be used during the procedure, how the freezing will be monitored, and what the risks are attached to nearby tissues.
• Try to understand the treatment plan. If not all tumors are destroyed in the first attempt, will you need a repeat session or additional therapy?

After the procedure:

• Understand recovery expectations: Ask your healthcare team, "When can I resume normal physical activities? Is pain/discomfort normal?"
• What signs to watch for: Side effects like infection, fever, increased redness, discharge, bleeding, unexpected pain, nerve symptoms, and numbness. 
• Follow-up plan: Consult your doctor, and get your imaging tests, lab tests, and checkups. 
• Ask your doctor, ‘How will you know if the tumor has gone or spread?’ Additionally, ask about combining therapies like cryosurgeries with other therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy, if needed.