by Cryoablation, also known as cryosurgery or cryotherapy, refers to the use of extreme cold produced by cryoablation devices to destroy diseased or damaged tissue. This minimally invasive treatment uses liquid nitrogen or argon gas cooled to very low temperatures through cryoprobes to freeze and destroy cancerous or dysfunctional cells. Cryoablation is commonly used to treat various types of cancer like kidney cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer with promising results.
Development of Cryoablation Technology
Cryoablation has been in use for over a century now to treat various medical conditions like warts, skin lesions and tumors. However, it is only in the recent past that significant technological advancements have enabled the development of sophisticated cryoablation devices delivering more precise, effective and safer treatments. Earlier techniques involved applying ice or freezing substances directly to the skin which were associated with significant side effects and limitations. With advances in probes, imaging, temperature monitoring and cryogen delivery systems, modern Cryoablation Devices can now precisely target tumors deep inside organs with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues. This makes it a favorable option over other invasive surgical procedures for cancer treatment.
Various Types
There are different types available based on the technology used, probe design and application. Some common types include:
– Cryoprobes: Consisting of hollow tubes with closed ends, cryoprobes are inserted directly into tumors through small incisions or body cavities. Liquid nitrogen or argon gas is circulated through the probes to freeze the target area.
– Cryo-kits: Complete systems consisting of argon or nitrogen gas cylinders, regulators, consoles, probes and probes. Various probe designs enable treating tumors of different sizes and locations.
– Cryo-wands/applicators: Hand-held devices applied directly on the skin for freezing superficial lesions.
– Linear cryo-applicators: Produce a continuous line of freezing for larger surface area treatments like age-related skin discoloration.
Imaging-guided systems incorporating ultrasound, MRI, CT or endoscopy enable precise placement of cryoablation probes under real-time visualization for optimal results. Some advanced devices also provide real-time temperature monitoring and adjustable freezing parameters.
Effectiveness of Cryoablation in Cancer Treatment
Several clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of cryoablation delivered through modern devices for various cancers with encouraging outcomes:
– Kidney Cancer: Cryoablation has emerged as a standard minimally invasive treatment option for small renal tumors, showing 5-year cancer-free survival rates comparable to partial nephrectomy but with lesser complications.
– Liver Cancer: For primary and secondary liver tumors unsuitable for surgery, cryoablation offers 1-3 year survival benefits and less post-procedure hospital stay than other therapies like radiofrequency ablation.
– Lung Cancer: In high-risk patients or those ineligible for surgeries, cryoablation controlled lung tumors with less pain and short hospital stays. 5-year overall survival rates were promising.
– Bone Cancer: Cryoablation helped relieve pain and disability from metastatic bone cancers with high local control rates and minimal side effects.
– Breast Cancer: Effective for small, localized breast tumors in select patients as an alternative to lumpectomy or mastectomy for breast conservation.
With advancements, cryoablation is becoming a preferred treatment option for many cancer types as a minimally invasive same-day procedure offering survival benefits, less complications, faster recovery and higher patient acceptance compared to other alternatives. Ongoing research also explores its efficacy against various other cancers.
Advantages of Cryoablation Over Alternative Treatments
Compared to surgical excision, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, cryoablation offers several clinical advantages for cancer treatment:
– Minimal invasiveness: Delivered through thin cryoprobes inserted directly into tumors under imaging guidance without major incisions.
– High precision: Ability to precisely target the tumor and freeze diseased tissues sparing adjacent healthy cells and organs.
– Quick recovery: Being an outpatient procedure, it allows for quick recovery times between 2-7 days with minimal hospital stays versus weeks for surgeries.
– Repeatable treatment: Can be administered multiple times if needed to target any remaining residual or recurrent tumors.
– Cost-effective: Associated with lower costs, less lost work days and lower overall health economic burden compared to other therapies.
– Pain relief: Offers effective palliation for painful bone tumors with reduced use of opioids or pain medications.
– Organ preservation: Enables preserving organ function in tumors situated near vital structures that cannot be removed surgically.
Advancements in cryoablation devices have reinvented cryotherapy as a standard cancer treatment procedure. As an image-guided minimally invasive option, it offers promising oncological outcomes, quality of life benefits, organ preservation and cost advantages compared to other modalities for select cancers. Ongoing research is further exploring its full potential against various other malignancies. Overall, cryoablation deserves increased consideration as a treatment choice for many patients alongside other medical interventions.
*Note:
1.Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2.We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
Ravina Pandya, a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals.
