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In a groundbreaking development, a novel technique known as cryoablation has emerged as a ray of hope for women battling breast cancer who are not eligible for surgery. Utilizing freezing technology, cryoablation offers a minimally invasive alternative for destroying small cancerous tumors, presenting a promising avenue for patients unable to undergo traditional surgical procedures.
Doctors at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York spearheaded this innovative approach, which involves the use of ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scans to pinpoint tumors within the breast. Subsequently, needle-like probes are inserted into the affected area, creating an ice ball around the tumors that effectively eradicates cancer cells.
The study, which enrolled 60 patients deemed unsuitable for surgery or those who declined surgery due to various factors such as age, underlying health conditions like heart issues or high blood pressure, or concurrent chemotherapy for another cancer, showcased encouraging outcomes. Tumor sizes ranged from 0.3 to 9 centimeters, with an average size of 2.5 centimeters. For larger tumors exceeding 1.4 centimeters, multiple probes were employed. Remarkably, the recurrence rate after 16 months stood at a mere 10%, underscoring the efficacy of cryoablation as a viable treatment option.
Dr. Yolanda Bryce, an interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, expressed optimism about the findings, emphasizing the potential of cryoablation to outperform conventional treatment modalities for patients who are not surgical candidates.
“For patients who have larger tumors but can’t undergo surgery, this approach could be more effective than the current standard of care for patients who are not surgical candidates,” remarked Dr. Bryce. “When treated with only radiation and hormonal therapy, tumors will eventually return. So, the fact that we saw only a 10% recurrence rate in our study is incredibly promising.”
While acknowledging that surgery remains the gold standard for tumor removal, Dr. Bryce underscored the significance of cryoablation in providing a viable alternative for women who, due to various reasons, are precluded from undergoing surgery.
Although the procedure carries the risk of “skin freezer burn,” Dr. Bryce reassured that such complications could be effectively managed with appropriate medical interventions.
The research findings were recently presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Salt Lake City, highlighting the growing significance of cryoablation as a transformative therapeutic option in the fight against breast cancer. As medical advancements continue to evolve, cryoablation stands poised to redefine treatment paradigms and offer renewed hope to patients navigating their cancer treatment journeys.
