Cryoablation Therapy Procedure

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Our experts offer a comprehensive suite of image-guided techniques to treat cancers of the liver, kidney, lung, musculoskeletal and other solid malignancies. Call 310-481-7545 to schedule a consultation or procedure.

Treatment for:

Tumors in the lungliver, kidney, bone, soft tissue, and other locations

Why it’s done:

Cryoablation allows minimally invasive destruction of tumors without the need for open surgery.

How it’s done:

An interventional radiologist uses CT to guide a thin needle (cryoprobe) into the cancerous tissue. The probes are hollow and allow for circulation of gas. Argon gas is then pumped into the cryoprobe in order to freeze and destroy the cancer tissue. Cancer cells die immediately with exposure to ice. Probes are removed at the end of the procedure.

Lung tumor undergoing cryoablation

Level of anesthesia:

Conscious sedation or general anesthesia

Risks:

Bleeding, infection, and rarely, damage to surrounding structures.

Post-procedure:

After cryoablation, patients proceed to the post-anesthesia care unit for recovery. A post-procedure imaging scan may be performed to determine the effect of the ablation. Most patients are discharged home the same day. Antibiotics and/or pain medications may be prescribed to prevent pain or infection after the procedure.

Follow-up:

A follow-up clinic visit and chest x-ray is performed in one week, followed by a clinic visit and CT scan in 1 month after treatment to monitor the ablation and address recovery. For a year following the procedure, patients are monitored every three months. After a year, patients are monitored every six months.

For More Information:

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our IR physicians, please call 310-481-7545.