Breast cancer is a highly prevalent form of cancer worldwide, with a variety of treatment options available. Cryoablation, a newer treatment method that uses extreme cold to kill cancer cells, has traditionally been used for small breast cancer tumors. However, new research suggests that cryoablation may also be effective for treating larger tumors, offering a potential alternative to surgery for high-risk patients such as those with comorbidities. The findings of this study, which have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, were recently presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting.
The study involved 60 participants who underwent cryoablation due to an inability or unwillingness to undergo surgery. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment that uses imaging guidance to locate tumors and then uses cold temperatures to create an ice ball that surrounds the tumor and kills the cancer cells. The procedure, which can be conducted with local anesthesia or minimal sedation, allows patients to go home the same day after treatment. Tumor sizes among participants ranged from 0.3 to 9 cm, with an average size of 2.5 cm. Following a median follow-up period of 16 months, researchers found a recurrence rate of only 10%.
According to co-author Dr. Yolanda Bryce, cryoablation could provide an effective treatment option for patients with larger breast cancer tumors who are not surgical candidates. For patients who cannot undergo surgery, cryoablation may offer a more effective alternative to traditional treatment methods such as radiation, chemotherapy, and hormonal therapy. The low recurrence rate observed in the study suggests promising results for cryoablation as a treatment option for patients with breast cancer. Further research and long-term follow-up studies are needed to determine the efficacy and safety of cryoablation compared to traditional surgical options.
However, Dr. Janie Grumley, a breast surgical oncologist, expressed some caution regarding the study’s findings. Grumley noted that while cryoablation is a treatment method that has been under investigation for many years, there are few patients who are not eligible for surgery due to the low risks associated with surgical excision. She also raised concerns about the study’s small size and short follow-up period, emphasizing the importance of long-term data to assess the recurrence rates and outcomes of patients who undergo cryoablation compared to surgery. Grumley highlighted the need for larger, long-term studies to determine the efficacy and safety of cryoablation as a viable treatment option for breast cancer patients.
In conclusion, the study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting suggests that cryoablation may be a promising treatment option for patients with breast cancer, particularly those with larger tumors who are not surgical candidates. The findings of the study indicate a low recurrence rate following cryoablation, providing hope for patients seeking alternative treatments. However, further research and long-term follow-up studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of cryoablation compared to traditional surgical options. Discussions between patients and their healthcare providers are crucial in determining the most appropriate treatment approach for each individual case of breast cancer.
