The Zoomer Report: Cryotherapy For Cancer

Breast cancer patients may one day be able to opt for a simple outpatient procedure to freeze their tumors as an alternative to surgery.

In a small but promising study, researchers were able to kill breast cancer cells by freezing them using a technique known as cryotherapy.

In a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 35th Annual Scientific Meeting, all 13 of the women who had the procedure were alive with no evidence of cancer recurrence an average of 18 months, and up to five years, after having the procedure.

Their tumors ranged in size from very small to very large.

The doctor who pioneered cryotherapy close to two decades ago, says the findings show that even large breast tumors can be successfully treated with the nonsurgical freezing technique. It has already been used for smaller breast tumours and for prostate cancer. Researchers say recent technological advances resulting in smaller and easier-to-manage probes and better ways to guide them to the tumor are making cryotherapy more attractive.

But a lot more study is needed before doctors know how this compares with surgery in terms of cure rates.

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About The Zoomer Report

Libby Znaimer, a prominent Canadian journalist specializing in business, politics, and lifestyle issues, is producer and host of The Zoomer Report, a special feature on topics of interest to baby boomers and the 50+. It covers everything from health and wealth to leisure and volunteerism, from the special vantage point of the generation that has changed society in its wake.

Ms. Znaimer is also Vice-President of News and Information for Classical 96.3FM and AM740. Her first book, “In Cancerland – Living Well Is The Best Revenge” – was published in October 2007 by Key Porter.

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