The use of cryosurgery in the control of locally recurrent tumours

Cryosurgery was used as a mode of treatment in 31 patients with advanced tumours.The patients were selected because of failure of other forms of conventional treatment or because a less radical type of therapy was advisable.The primary aim of the treatment was palliation. Pain was well controlled in almost all patients in whom the main bulk of the tumour could be successfully destroyed. Bleeding was also controlled temporarily and obstruction prevented in other patients.Cryosurgery is a simple procedure, easy to perform, has very few complications and can be repeated at frequent intervals. It is well tolerated by the elderly patients and produces very little postoperative discomfort, permitting earlier discharge from hospital.In selected cases of cancer, cryosurgery has a definite role to play in improving the quality of survival. It is particularly useful in extensive and recurrent cancers of the head and neck region.