Cryotherapy for cancer

Cryotherapy, also known as cryoablation or cryosurgery, is a specialized treatment that eliminates cancer cells by rapidly freezing and thawing them. This process involves using an extremely cold gas, such as liquid nitrogen, argon, or nitrous oxide.

Cryotherapy can be used to treat both external tumors, like skin cancer, and certain types of small, early-stage internal tumors. This minimally invasive approach is an option if you can’t have standard cancer treatments or if you have a slow-growing, low-risk tumor that’s unlikely to spread.

Depending on the cancer type and location, cryotherapy may be performed by a dermatologist, surgeon, or interventional radiologist. Penn Medicine radiologists are highly experienced in cryotherapy and other tumor removal techniques. This expertise ensures you receive optimal care at the right time, leading to improved outcomes.

Cryotherapy is used to treat several types of cancer and cancer-related conditions, including:

• Bone cancer (chondrosarcoma)
• Breast cancer (early stage)
• Liver cancer (confined to liver)
• Lung cancer (non-small cell)
• Kidney cancer (stage 1 or 2 tumors)
• Prostate cancer (early stage)
• Retinoblastoma (small tumors)
• Skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas)

If a cancer grows fast or is likely to spread, oncologists usually recommend radiation or surgery before trying cryotherapy. Your care team will discuss your cancer treatment options and help you choose the best one for you.

Your healthcare provider may recommend cryotherapy if:

• You have an early-stage tumor or an external tumor
• The tumor is contained and unlikely to spread
• You cannot tolerate surgery or radiation due to age or health conditions
• Earlier radiation treatment was unsuccessful

Cryotherapy recovery varies depending on the treated condition and procedure:

• Wound care: You should keep the treated area protected, clean, and dry to prevent infection. For external cryosurgery sites, a scab should form and fall off in a few weeks. You can apply an over-the-counter skin care ointment like Vaseline or Aquaphor to promote healing and prevent crusting.
• Pain management: After internal cryotherapy, you may have mild pain or soreness at the incision site for up to three days. An over-the-counter painkiller can help with the discomfort.
• Activity limitations: For external cryotherapy, you should be able to return to normal activities right away. Some people who have internal cryotherapy need to limit their activity for a few days after the procedure. Your provider will let you know when you can return to your regular routine.

Cryosurgery offers several advantages over traditional surgery. As a minimally invasive procedure, it typically results in less pain, swelling, and damage to healthy tissue, while allowing for a shorter recovery time.

Generally considered safe, cryosurgery can carry risks and side effects that vary based on the cancer type and location, including:

• Pain, swelling, and bruising at the treatment site
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Scarring or changes in skin color when used to treat skin cancers
• Damage to nearby healthy tissue
• Cramping, pain, or bleeding when used to treat cervical cancer
• Incontinence or erectile dysfunction when used to treat prostate cancer
• Nerve damage leading to loss of sensation

At Penn Medicine, we’re pioneers in using cryosurgery to freeze and destroy abnormal cells. Our radiologists are experts in the imaging techniques that support internal cryotherapy cancer treatments. We use the most advanced technology, including CT fluoroscopy, 3D localization, and 3D-4D ultrasound imaging to help locate tumors and abnormal tissues for the most successful cryotherapy treatment.