Cryoablation
From Kidney Cancer Resource
See Also Cryotherapy
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Overview
Cryoablation is a process that uses cold energy (cryo) to kill tissue (ablation).
Cryoablation is used in a variety of clinical applications using hollow needles (cryoprobes) through which cooled (from a peripheral freezing unit), thermally conductive, gases and fluids are circulated. Cryoprobes are inserted into or placed adjacent to tissue which is determined to be diseased in such a way that ablation will provide correction yielding benefit to the patient. When the probes are in place, the cryogenic freezing unit removes heat ("cools") from the tip of the probe and by extension from the surrounding tissues.
Ablation occurs in tissue that has been frozen by at least three mechanisms: (1) formation of ice crystals within cells thereby disrupting membranes, and interrupting cellular metabolism among other processes; (2) coagulation of blood thereby interrupting bloodflow to the tissue in turn causing ischemia and cell death; and (3) induction of apoptosis, the so-called programmed cell death cascade.
The most common application of cryoablation is to ablate solid tumors found in the lung, liver, breast, kidney and prostate gland. The use in prostate and renal cryoablation are the most common. Although sometimes applied through laparoscopic or open surgical approaches, most often cryoablation is performed percutaneously (through the skin and into the target tissue containing the tumor).
See also Cryo Therapy
Podcasts
Mayo Clinic PodCast on Cryoablation treatment
Articles
Bristol Evening Post (KC) 24-Oct-08
- Bristol surgeons lead way in new cancer treatment
BBC (KC) 22-Oct-08
- Freezing kills off kidney tumours
MedicalNewsToday (KC) 06-Apr-08
- Laparoscopic Renal Cryoablation (LRC) Of Small Renal Masses
MedPage (KC) 18-Mar-08
- SIR: Percutaneous Cryoablation Effective Against Kidney Cancer....
Earth Times (KC) 17-Mar-08
- Interventional Cryoablation Stops Cancer Cold - Curative Option for Patients With Small Localized Kidney Tumors
Earth Times (KC) 10-Mar-08
- Freezing Kidney Cancer: Two leading cancer centers show the same remarkably successful result for kidney cryoablation. Interventional radiologists can treat localized kidney tumors on an outpatient basis for most patients.
References
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