Cryoablation is a medical procedure that uses extremely cold gas delivered through a specialized needle to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue. This technique is often used by doctors to treat various conditions, including cancer. By freezing cancer cells, cryoablation can shrink tumors and stop their growth. This procedure is also referred to as cryosurgery or percutaneous cryotherapy.
For patients with malignant tumors, the first question often is whether the tumor can be surgically removed. In many cases, surgery is the preferred option. However, there are certain situations where surgery may not be the best solution. In such cases, doctors may recommend cryoablation as an effective method to destroy cancer cells and reduce tumor size without major surgery.
Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital has an interventional radiology consultant who can perform cryoablation, dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad (K)RI.
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When is Cryoablation Recommended?
Doctors may suggest cryoablation to treat malignant tumors under the following conditions:
- Early-stage or small tumors that can be accessed without large incisions or only through small punctures.
- Tumors that cannot be safely removed surgically, for example, due to their size or risk of damaging surrounding organs.
- Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body) affecting nearby organs or causing pain. In such cases, cryoablation can be used to shrink tumors or provide palliative relief.
Types of Cancer Treated with Cryoablation
Cryoablation can be used to treat various types of cancer, including:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcoma
- Thyroid cancer
How Does Cryoablation Work?
During the procedure, doctors may use local anesthesia to numb the treatment area or general anesthesia to make the patient sleep.
Cryoablation is performed by inserting a cryoprobe into the body through a small incision. The probe is a specialized needle that delivers extremely cold gas.
The cryoprobe contains frozen gas such as liquid nitrogen, liquid nitrous oxide, or pressurized argon gas. When the cryoprobe is applied to cancerous tissue, the extreme cold freezes the cancer cells. As the tissue thaws, the cells die, causing the tumor to shrink or gradually disappear.
The cryoablation process involves several steps:
- Making a small puncture in the treatment area.
- Inserting the cryoprobe containing extremely cold gas.
- Applying the cryoprobe to the tumor for several seconds to minutes, freezing and destroying tumor cells.
- Using real-time imaging such as ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan to monitor the procedure.
- In some cases, the cryoprobe may be applied more than once to ensure complete destruction of cancer tissue.
- After the procedure, the cryoprobe is removed, and the small puncture is closed.
The procedure generally takes a few hours, although duration may vary depending on the patient’s condition and tumor size. Doctors will provide an estimated timeframe before starting the procedure.
Advantages and Benefits of Cryoablation
The main advantages of cryoablation in treating tumors include:
- Performed without large incisions
- Minimizes side effects and scarring
- Reduces damage to surrounding healthy tissue
Doctors use cryoablation for various cancers with different treatment goals. Studies have shown that cryoablation is a safe and effective method for cancer treatment. If recommended, doctors will explain why cryoablation is suitable for your condition and what results you can expect.
dr. Sugi at Mandaya Royal Puri: Cryoablation Specialist
An interventional radiology consultant is a doctor skilled in performing minimally invasive medical procedures guided by imaging technology such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. They not only diagnose conditions through radiology exams but also treat diseases without major surgery, for example, through ablation techniques, catheter placement, or procedures to stop bleeding and shrink tumors.
At Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, cryoablation procedures are performed by dr. Sugi.
In addition to cryoablation for liver tumors, dr. Sugi’s expertise includes:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
- Microwave Ablation (MWA)
- Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
- USG/CT-guided Liver Biopsy
dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad (K)RI Schedule at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital:
- Tuesday: 16:00 – 20:00 WIB
- Thursday: 16:00 – 20:00 WIB
To make your visit to Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital easier and meet dr. Sugi, you can use the WhatsApp chat feature, Book Appointment option, or the Care Dokter app, available on Google Play and the App Store, to check queue numbers, schedule appointments, and access full information.
