Cryoablation or cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment used to treat solid tumors---both cancerous and non-cancerous---in the lung, liver, breast, kidney, prostate and cervix. The cryoablation procedure involves freezing diseased tissue to the point of cell death using liquid nitrogen or argon gas. Cryoablation may be applied to cells inside or outside the body. If inside the body, physicians use image-guidance ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) to place the "cryo" or freezing substances on the treatment sites.
Bleeding
Both puncture wounds from the cryoprobes---the instruments used to apply the freezing substance---and the freezing of tissue may cause bleeding, according to the Radiological Society of America. (Reference 1)
Collapsed Lung
If a cryoablation procedure is performed in or near a lung there is a risk of a pneumothorax, also known as a collapsed lung. (Reference 1)
Nerve Damage
Muscle weakness or numbness may result if nerves are completely frozen during cryoablation. The nerve damage may be temporary of permanent. (Reference 1)
After Prostate Cryotherapy
Men who have cryotherapy are less likely to have spontaneous, normal erections following the procedure. These men may still be sexually active if they use medications, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Cryoablation may cause incontinence or block the flow of urine with dead tissue. (References 2 and 3)
After Cervical Cancer Cryotherapy
Women who have cryotherapy for cervical cancer are likely to have a watery discharge for the a few weeks following the procedure. This discharge is caused by the sloughing of dead cervical tissue.
Cryosurgery for cervical tumors may also cause cramping, pain or bleeding, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Infection
As with any surgical procedure, cryoablation carries a risk of infection.
Member Comments