Cryotherapy
What is 'cryotherapy'?
Cryotherapy is a form of therapy of typically tumors where the tumor cells are killed by freezing.
What is cryotherapy used for?
Cryotherapy is used to destroy tumors that may or may not be responsive to other forms of treatment.
What can I expect during cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is usually performed under anesthesia. After the procedure, may have some pain, or achiness in the area that was treated.
How does cryotherapy work?
Cryotherapy works on the basis of the principle that cells if they are frozen and thawed, that the cells will become disrupted and die.
How is cryotherapy performed?
Cryotherapy is performed with a device, typically a needle-like device, that is placed within the area of abnormality. Then a freezing liquid is placed into that needle, which measures the temperature as this freezing liquid is placed into the area. The area is then thawed and refrozen, in order to provide a more effective killing of those cells.
What are the risks and benefits of cryotherapy?
The benefits of cryotherapy are that some tumors are extremely responsive to this form of therapy. The risks of the procedure are similar to the risks of trying to treat tumors using other techniques. Other techniques that are available that can be used include things such as radio frequency ablation.
What are the limitations of cryotherapy?
The limitations of Cryotherapy can include inability to access the area of abnormality safely. Some areas of the body can't be reached without passing through some very, very sensitive portions of the body.
