Information on Cryotherapy Treatment for Cancer
Cryotherapy (also known as cryoablation and cryosurgery) is a procedure that uses intense cold to kill diseased tissue and cells. The long-term effects of cryotherapy are not completely known, which may cause insurance issues.
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Significance
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Cryotherapy can be a cheaper alternative to conventional cancer treatments, such as surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It is a minimally invasive procedure with relatively short recovery times.
Procedure
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A cryoprobe is inserted into the cancerous area, and liquid nitrogen or argon gas is delivered to freeze cancerous cells. The frozen cells are thawed and frozen again until they die.
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Types
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Cryotherapy is used to treat a number of different cancers and precancerous tumors including: retinoblastoma, skin cancers, bone cancers, prostate and liver tumors, actinic keratosis, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, and Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS related).
Side Effects
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The side effects of cryotherapy are not as severe or troublesome as conventional cancer treatments. For example, the side effects of cryotherapy for skin cancer include: nerve damage, hair loss, and scarring.
Limitations
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Cryotherapy can only treat localized cancers because it targets a specific area of the body. Microscopic cancers that do not appear on radiologic scans may go untreated.
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