Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment

How cryosurgery is performed

A stream of liquid nitrogen is aimed at the tumor through a cryosurgery gun, freezing the tissue. The target temperature is ­20° C (­4°F). After the tissue thaws, a second and sometimes third freeze will be performed. For with more aggressive tumors, treatment may need to be repeated in 2 weeks.  

Acute

• Bleeding
• Blister formation
• Edema (fluid build up in tissue)
• Discomfort

• Scar tissue
• Infection (rare)

• Hair loss
• Hypopigmentation (loss of normal skin color)

What to expect after cryosurgery

Immediately after freezing, your pet may experience mild discomfort for up to 24 hours. The frozen tissue will swell and turn black due to destruction of cells. There may be an odor due to tissue necrosis, there also may be oozing of a small amount of blood or serum (clear fluid). After several days, a dry scab will usually form. The scab will eventually slough off, exposing a fresh layer of healthy tissue. Keep your pet from licking, scratching or rubbing the area. A recheck is recommended 2 weeks after the treatment.

Care after cryosurgery

• An e-collar may be needed to prevent your pet from irritating the site; however, most pets leave the treatment site alone.
• Hydrocortisone cream or triple antibiotic ointment, such as Neosporin, can be applied but is usually not needed.
• Oral prednisone, a steroid, may help in the first 24 hours to decrease swelling and discomfort.

Advantages of cryosurgery

Speed

• Most lesions can be frozen faster than they can be surgically removed.

Expense

• It is usually less expensive than surgery.

Safety

• General anesthesia is usually avoided or only needed for a short amount of time.
  

Disadvantages of cryosurgery

Aesthetics

• During the healing process, the site may look worse before it looks better.

Lack of surgical margins

• When tumors are surgically removed and sent to the lab, the pathologist can determine if the entire tumor was removed. With cryosurgery, surgical margins cannot be determined. Also if the entire tumor is not frozen to ­20° C (­4°F), it will come back.      

For further information on cryosurgery visit:

National Cancer Institute

American Academy of Family Physicians

Brymill Cryogenic (manufacturer)

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