Freezing Out Cancer: A Minimally invasive Alternative

In a meaningful step forward for breast cancer treatment, the Ribera Hospital in Valencia, Spain, is now offering cryoablation as a viable alternative to surgery for women diagnosed with low-risk, early-stage breast cancer. This innovative approach provides a less invasive option for patients seeking effective tumor destruction without the extensive recovery period associated with traditional surgical methods.

Understanding Cryoablation: how It Works

Cryoablation is a percutaneous technique that utilizes extreme cold to eradicate cancerous cells. The procedure involves inserting a fine needle through the skin,guided by ultrasound,directly into the tumor. Once in place, the tip of the needle reaches temperatures as low as -40°C, freezing the tumor and causing cell death. The process typically involves alternating cycles of freezing and thawing, each lasting approximately 10 minutes, to ensure complete tumor destruction.

Eva Llopis, head of Radiology Service of the Ribera Hospital, explains, Crioablation is a technique that is guided by ultrasound in the case of breast tumors and consists of the insertion of a fine needle through the skin that reaches temperatures of -40º at its end, which achieves the freezing of the tumor and thus the destruction of the tumor cells.

Benefits of Cryoablation: A Patient-Centric Approach

One of the key advantages of cryoablation is its minimally invasive nature. Unlike surgery, it dose not require general anesthesia and is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing patients to return home the same day. This translates to a reduced risk of post-operative complications such as seromas, infections, and bruising, as well as a considerably faster recovery time. The procedure typically lasts less then an hour,minimizing disruption to the patientS daily life.

Llopis further emphasizes the benefits, stating, it is indeed a simple, safe and painless procedure that is performed with local anesthesia in an outpatient manner and does not require hospital admission… With this procedure the probability of the appearance of frequent post-surgical complications such as seromas, infections, bruises and allows faster recovery of the patient is reduced.

Ribera Hospital Leads the Way

The Ribera Hospital is among the first public medical centers in the Valencian community to integrate cryoablation into its standard treatment options. The hospital’s breast section collaborated with its interventionist radiology section, leveraging their expertise in percutaneous tumor treatment using techniques like radiofrequency and microwave ablation.To date, the hospital has successfully performed four cryoablation procedures, including a case involving bilateral breast cancer treated in a single day.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Ensuring Optimal Care

Treatment decisions at the University Hospital of La Ribera are made through a multidisciplinary committee comprising experts from various specialties, including pathological anatomy, general and plastic surgery, nuclear medicine, radiology, and medical and radiotherapeutic oncology. This collaborative approach ensures that each patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. While surgery remains the primary treatment option for most breast cancer cases, cryoablation offers a valuable alternative for select patients.

The treatment of breast cancer at the University Hospital of La Ribera is individualized and is discussed weekly in the multidisciplinary committee of breast pathology formed by a group of professionals dedicated to the breast of different specialties such as pathological anatomy, general and plastic surgery, nuclear medicine, radiology and medical and radiotherapeutic oncology.

The Future of Breast Cancer Treatment

The introduction of cryoablation at Ribera Hospital highlights a growing trend towards less invasive and more patient-friendly cancer treatments. As technology advances, it is likely that cryoablation and similar techniques will play an increasingly vital role in the management of early-stage breast cancer, offering women a wider range of options and improved quality of life.