Minimally invasive approaches: cryoablation

[摘要] As widespread screening for breast cancer detects more women at younger ages and earlier stages, the need for minimally invasive, cosmetically preferable approaches to its treatment grows. The combination of a superficial location on the thorax and lack of intervening organs makes the breast ideal for ablative therapies, one of which is cryoablation. Cryoablation destroys tissue through multiple cycles of localized freezing. Major advantages to cryoablation are: the ability to perform the procedure in the office under real-time ultrasound guidance, improved post-procedure cosmesis when compared to breast conserving surgery since only a 2 mm skin incision is necessary, and the avoidance of anesthesia since freezing numbs the breast. Numerous studies, reviewed here, have demonstrated success in eradication of invasive breast cancer using this modality. However, before cryoablation can be added to the armamentarium of those who treat breast cancer, prospective randomized trials are needed to determine its long-term effectiveness.

[学科分类] 肿瘤学