Cryotherapy - Cancer Science

What is Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy, also known as cryosurgery, is a medical procedure that involves the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissues, including cancer cells. This technique leverages liquid nitrogen or argon gas to freeze and kill the targeted cells. It's a localized treatment often used for skin cancers, prostate cancer, and tumors in other organs.

How Does Cryotherapy Work?

During cryotherapy, a probe called a cryoprobe is inserted into the tumor. The probe releases a freezing agent, such as liquid nitrogen, which creates ice crystals within the cancer cells. These ice crystals disrupt the cell membranes and ultimately cause cell death. The dead cells are then naturally absorbed and eliminated by the body's immune system.

What Types of Cancer Can Be Treated with Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is primarily used for treating localized cancers. Some of the common types of cancer treated with this method include:

Skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
Prostate cancer
Liver cancer
Cervical cancer
Early-stage kidney cancer

What Are the Benefits of Cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy offers several benefits:

Minimally invasive: The procedure usually requires only a small incision or no incision at all.
Reduced recovery time: Patients often recover faster compared to traditional surgery.
Less pain and bleeding: The procedure generally results in less discomfort and blood loss.
Localized treatment: It targets specific areas, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

While cryotherapy is generally safe, it does come with potential risks and side effects:

Pain and swelling: Some patients may experience pain and swelling at the treatment site.

Relevant Publications

Cropsi study: Efficacy and safety of cryotherapy and cryocompression in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with breast and gynecological cancer-A prospective, randomized trial.

Issue Release: 2024

The influence of intraoral cryotherapy on postoperative pain and substance P in symptomatic apical periodontitis: randomized clinical study.

Issue Release: 2024

Exploring Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Management Practice Patterns Among Oncology Clinicians.

Issue Release: 2024

Device-based physical therapies in chronic pruritus: a narrative review.

Issue Release: 2024

Retinal Tear and Retinal Detachment Following Cataract Surgery in Eyes with a Previous History of Treated Phakic Retinal Tears.

Issue Release: 2024

Comparative Analysis of Intralesional Immunotherapy and Conventional Treatments for Non-Genital Warts: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Issue Release: 2024

Computer Simulation of Catheter Cryoablation for Pulmonary Vein Isolation.

Issue Release: 2024

Efficacy of heel lifts for lower limb musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review.

Issue Release: 2024

Current Management of Desmoid Tumors: A Review.

Issue Release: 2024

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Primary Renal Cell Carcinoma: a review on behalf of the CC AFU.

Issue Release: 2024

Split-Mouth Comparison of Pain and Healing Associated With the Electrocautery and Bur Abrasion Methods in the Treatment of Depigmentation: A Case Report.

Issue Release: 2024

Myofascial pelvic pain: the forgotten player in chronic pelvic pain.

Issue Release: 2024

Integrated Physical Therapy in a Unique Case of Holstein-Lewis Fracture With Radial Palsy: A Case Report.

Issue Release: 2024

Cryoprobe for endoscopic enucleation in children with pulmonary tuberculosis - effective but not without danger: Case report and review of literature.

Issue Release: 2024

Age group-specific changes in keratinocyte cancer treatment rates in Australia, 2012- 2021: a retrospective cohort study based on MBS claims data.

Issue Release: 2024

Update on applications of endoscopic cryotherapy in the gastrointestinal tract.

Issue Release: 2024

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (20 MHz) and Cryotherapy as Therapeutic Options for Granuloma Annulare and Other Inflammatory Skin Conditions.

Issue Release: 2024

Beyond Excision: Cryotherapy as a Non-surgical Treatment for Palatal Solitary Neurofibroma.

Issue Release: 2024

Meibography-Guided Electroepilation for Congenital Distichiasis: A Novel Surgical Technique.

Issue Release: 2024

Cyclic cryotherapy with vitamin D facilitates early rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty.

Issue Release: 2024

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