A recent study has shown promising results for cryoablation as a minimally invasive treatment option for breast cancer patients with large tumors, especially those who cannot undergo surgery. This technique, which freezes and destroys cancerous tumors using an ice ball created by needle-like probes, is already used for smaller tumors but has now been proven effective on larger ones. Led by Dr. Yolanda Bryce, an interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the study will be presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Salt Lake City. According to the research, cryoablation could be a valuable alternative for patients who are not candidates for surgery due to age, cardiac issues, hypertension, or concurrent treatments for other cancers. Without surgery, the standard treatment often involves radiation and hormone therapy, which can result in tumor recurrence over time. However, the study’s findings are encouraging, showing only a 10% recurrence rate after cryoablation, compared to higher rates with current non-surgical options.
The study assessed 60 patients, each undergoing cryoablation with imaging guidance, such as ultrasound or CT scan, to locate and target tumors ranging from 0.3 to 9 cm. Patients with tumors larger than 1.4 cm were treated with multiple probes to ensure effective freezing across the tumor. With an average tumor size of 2.5 cm, the freeze-thaw cycle consisted of freezing, passive thawing, and then refreezing at high intensity, enabling precise tumor control. The procedures were performed with local anesthesia, and most patients were able to go home the same day. Cryoablation may also allow multiple treatment sessions if tumors grow back, providing patients with an additional control mechanism. Researchers will continue to monitor this patient cohort to gather long-term data and further explore how combined therapies like hormone and radiation treatments might enhance the effectiveness of cryoablation for breast cancer patients.
