Cryoablation of Early Breast Cancer Tumors

Cryotherapy, already being used for benign breast tumors and several other cancers, might prove effective in women with breast cancer tumors 1 cm or smaller in size.

A tumor-freezing technique might offer a reasonable alternative to surgery for some women with early stage breast cancer, a preliminary study suggests.

The research, to be reported Wednesday at the American Society of Breast Surgeons annual meeting in Las Vegas, looked at a treatment called cryoablation. The approach, also called cryotherapy, uses substances such as liquid nitrogen or argon gas to freeze and destroy cancer cells.

Cryoablation is already an option for benign breast tumors called fibroadenomas, and for certain cancers -- including some cases of skin, prostate and liver cancers. But researchers are just beginning to look into its potential for breast cancer.

Read the complete report here: http://1.usa.gov/1omGYi6

Source: MedlinePlus