Cryosurgery

Index

  1. What is cryosurgery?
  2. Why is cryosurgery performed?
  3. What is cryosurgery?
  4. Preparation for the procedure
  5. Care after cryosurgery
  6. Alternatives to this treatment

What is cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery is a type of surgery that uses freezing temperatures to destroy abnormal tissues such as tumors or precancerous skin lesions. In most cases liquid nitrogen is used, but carbon dioxide or argon gas may also be used. When these temperatures are low enough, anything in contact with it freezes instantly, which, upon contact with human skin, kills the cells.

It is a minimally invasive procedure, so it is often preferred as it involves less pain and scarring.

Cryosurgery uses freezing temperatures
to destroy abnormal tissues

Why is cryosurgery performed?

When treating precancerous skin lesions, killing these cells prevents them from becoming cancerous. Other types of cancer that can be treated with cryosurgery such as:

  • Retinoblastoma.
  • Early stage skin cancers.
  • Actinic keratoses.
  • Precancerous growths and abnormal cells in the cervix.
  • Early stage prostate cancer, but this is less common than other treatments such as prostatectomy.
  • Primary liver cancer (if it has not spread).

What is cryosurgery?

The freezing agent is placed on the skin, for example, using a cotton swab or a spray. The cotton swab is applied to the area to be treated for several seconds until it turns whitish. While in the case of the spray, it is sprayed intermittently on the lesion at a distance of about 1 cm. To avoid pain or discomfort, an anesthetic medication may be applied to the skin beforehand.

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If an internal area is being treated, a special instrument with a flexible tube is used to apply nitrogen and freeze the diseased tissue. Ultrasound may be used to guide such treatments.

How to prepare for cryosurgery?

Preparation will depend on the type of cryosurgery being performed. For external skin treatments, little preparation is required.

In the case of performing internal cryosurgery, you will have instructions similar to those for traditional surgery, such as a period of fasting before the procedure. They may also recommend antibiotics to prevent infection and avoid blood thinning medications prior to the procedure.

Post-cryosurgery care

Cryosurgery is usually performed as a daytime procedure, which means you can go home the same day as the surgery.

However, if the surgery was internal, you may have to stay in the hospital for a couple of nights. You should keep the external areas clean and change the bandages frequently.

Alternatives to this treatment

Cryosurgery is often chosen for cases that are at an early stage. Cancers that have spread or are in advanced stages will be treated more invasively with surgery and/or radiation therapy.