Cryoablation Treatment for Cancer

Cryoablation is an ablation method that destroys cancer tissue not by heating it, as in RF ablation and microwave ablation, but rather by freezing it. To create this freezing effect, very high-pressure argon gas is passed through the cryoablation needle and released at the very tip of the needle.

The argon gas cools the cancerous tissue to -40 to -80 degrees Celsius, creating an ice ball. This phenomenon, known as the Joule-Thompson effect, causes ice crystals to form in the tumor, blocking blood vessels and causing widespread tissue death due to apoptosis.

Cryoablation is quite expensive compared to other non-surgical cancer treatment methods. Therefore, it is not often preferred except for very specific cases of prostate and lung cancer. It is not more effective than other treatment methods. Its most significant advantage is less post-procedural pain. However, pain is rarely experienced with other treatment methods. If pain does occur, it is managed with medication by an algologist.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Mahir Atasoy