Cryosurgery: freezing and destroying cancerous cells
Cryosurgery is a type of surgery that involves destroying abnormal tissue with the help of a cooled liquid or an instrument called cryoprobe. A cryoprobe is cooled with substances like liquid nitrogen, liquid nitrous oxide, or compressed nitrogen gas. It generally involves freezing and destroying cancerous cells or cells’ potential of turning into tumors.
Cryosurgery is often used to treat cancers. It is also used to treat a variety of benign types of skin problems. It is used when other forms of treatments have proven unsuccessful, especially when cancer has returned following other treatments. It is also used on some internal organs like the liver when conventional surgery becomes difficult or risky.
Cryosurgery is used as a primary treatment for Prostate Cancer. The method is best suited with patients having light skin and for most non-hair bearing parts of the body. It is beneficial because it has a short preparation time, low risk of infection, and minimal wound care. It also does not require anesthesia and or other expensive supplies.
Risks in cryosurgery include bleeding, blister formation, headache, hypopigmentation, and hair loss. There are other risks which include scarring, sexual dysfunction, loss of sensation if nerves are effected and ulcers.
Although cryosurgery carries risks, they are considered lower than other types of treatment methods adopted for cancer treatment.