Cryoablation - Innovative Medical Procedure for Cancer Treatment

Cryoablation is a medical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells or abnormal tissues in the body.

Cryoablation FAQ

How does cryoablation work?

During cryoablation, a thin, wandlike needle called a cryoprobe is inserted through the skin. The cryoprobe is placed directly into the cancer. A gas is pumped into the cryoprobe to freeze the tissue. Then the tissue is allowed to thaw. The freezing and thawing process is repeated several times.

What is cryoablation for cancer?

The cryoprobe is placed directly into the cancer. A gas is pumped into the cryoprobe to freeze the tissue. Then the tissue is allowed to thaw. The freezing and thawing process is repeated several times. Cryoablation for cancer is typically used when surgery isn't an option.

What are the risks of cryoablation?

There is a small risk of infection. There is a small risk of bleeding. There is a small risk of nerve injury both temporary and permanent. There may be a small risk of fracture if a bone lesion is treated. We may elect to inject some cement in the bone at the time of the cryoablation to prevent this.

What is a cryoablation procedure?

Cryoablation is a procedure that uses extremely cold gas to freeze and destroy abnormal cells or diseased tissue. It’s sometimes called cryotherapy or cryosurgery. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

What is cryoablation & how does it work?

What is Cryoablation? Cryoablation is a method of treating certain types of bone and soft tissue tumours. It works by cooling tumour cells down to very low temperatures and then heating them up which causes the tumour cells to die. It involves placing special needles through the skin into the tumour.

What is nerve cryoablation?

Nerve cryoablation is a minimally invasive procedure in which part of a pain-transmitting nerve is frozen to prevent the nerve from sending pain signals to the brain. Why might I need this procedure? Who has made the decision that this procedure is appropriate for me?

How does cryotherapy work?

Cryotherapy uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. It's also called cryosurgery or cryoablation. During cryotherapy treatment the doctor freezes the cancer cells to kill them. For cancers on the skin, the doctors put liquid nitrogen on to the area of cancer. For cancers inside the body, the doctor uses a small stick (probe) called a cryoprobe.