Cryoablation

From Kidney Cancer Resource

Jump to: navigation, search

See Also Cryotherapy

Contents

Overview

Cryoablation is a process that uses cold energy (cryo) to kill tissue (ablation).

Cryoablation is used in a variety of clinical applications using hollow needles (cryoprobes) through which cooled (from a peripheral freezing unit), thermally conductive, gases and fluids are circulated. Cryoprobes are inserted into or placed adjacent to tissue which is determined to be diseased in such a way that ablation will provide correction yielding benefit to the patient. When the probes are in place, the cryogenic freezing unit removes heat ("cools") from the tip of the probe and by extension from the surrounding tissues.

Ablation occurs in tissue that has been frozen by at least three mechanisms: (1) formation of ice crystals within cells thereby disrupting membranes, and interrupting cellular metabolism among other processes; (2) coagulation of blood thereby interrupting bloodflow to the tissue in turn causing ischemia and cell death; and (3) induction of apoptosis, the so-called programmed cell death cascade.

The most common application of cryoablation is to ablate solid tumors found in the lung, liver, breast, kidney and prostate gland. The use in prostate and renal cryoablation are the most common. Although sometimes applied through laparoscopic or open surgical approaches, most often cryoablation is performed percutaneously (through the skin and into the target tissue containing the tumor).

See also Cryo Therapy

Podcasts

Mayo Clinic PodCast on Cryoablation treatment

Articles

Bristol Evening Post (KC) 24-Oct-08

  • Bristol surgeons lead way in new cancer treatment

BBC (KC) 22-Oct-08

MedicalNewsToday (KC) 06-Apr-08

MedPage (KC) 18-Mar-08

Earth Times (KC) 17-Mar-08

  • Interventional Cryoablation Stops Cancer Cold - Curative Option for Patients With Small Localized Kidney Tumors

Earth Times (KC) 10-Mar-08

  • Freezing Kidney Cancer: Two leading cancer centers show the same remarkably successful result for kidney cryoablation. Interventional radiologists can treat localized kidney tumors on an outpatient basis for most patients.

References

Convert This Page to PDF format

Was this information useful? ( 0 votes )
N/A






Disclaimer

Kidney Cancer Resource (KCR) is not influenced by sponsors. The information contained herein is not intended as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other licensed health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and information purposes only. Early accurate Diagnosis (Dx.) saves lives. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill, never ignore Symptoms. To help your health care specialist make an accurate Diagnosis please keep notes of dates, times and details of your Symptoms. We are not offering medical advice nor do we consider links, individuals or articles accessed through this site to be offering medical advice.

E&OE - Errors & Omissions Excepted

As much of the information posted on this Web Site for peoples convenience is of a medical or technical nature, and may be a matter of life or death the E&OE is a Disclaimer showing that to the best of our ability information is accurate and correctly written or transcribed. Before acting on information on this site you are responsible for checking it with your relevant medical team. We can not be held responsible for any Errors & Omissions made; nor for information on links and articles provided in good faith.

Personal tools
Locations of visitors to this page