Cryotherapy for breast cancer: a feasibility study without excision

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Breast cancer treatment often involves surgery, but alternative minimally invasive options are being explored.
• Cryoablation offers a less invasive approach to destroy cancerous tissue using extreme cold.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous multiprobe breast cryoablation (BC) for various presentations of in situ breast cancers.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of this technique in patients who declined surgery.

Main Methods:

• Eleven patients with 22 breast cancer foci underwent percutaneous multiprobe BC under local anesthesia.
• Guidance was provided by ultrasonography (US) and/or computed tomography (CT), with saline injections protecting the skin.
• Procedure success was defined as achieving 1 cm of visible ice beyond all tumor margins.

Main Results:

• 100% procedural success was achieved in treating tumors with a mean diameter of 1.7 cm using an average of 3.1 cryoprobes.
• Mean ice diameter achieved was 5.1 cm, with no significant complications, retraction, or scarring observed.
• Post-procedure and follow-up biopsies were negative, with no local recurrences noted at an average of 18 months follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous multiprobe breast cryoablation is a safe and effective method for treating in situ breast cancers.
• The procedure offers minimal discomfort, good cosmetic outcomes, and a low risk of short-term local recurrence.
• Integration with pre- and post-ablation MR imaging enhances treatment planning and monitoring.