As an affiliate of Bumrungrad International Hospital, Esperance Integrative Cancer Clinic sets the standard of excellence in integrated cancer treatments and prevention. With an integrative, customized approach to cancer care, we recently adopted cryoablation to destroy non-cancerous breast tumors (fibroadenomas) by freezing them at below -170?C, the temperature at which tumor cells die. A needle injects liquid nitrogen through the tip of needle which is inserted through the skin and into the tissue to be removed precisely. Ultrasound is utilized during the procedure to clearly locate the tumor and monitor the size of the ice ball. Patients are left with a small scar of only 3 mm, which is an alternative treatment with a high standard of safety, which is appropriate for patients not wanting to undergo surgery.
Assistant Professor Dr. Sasithorn Sujarittanakarn, breast cancer surgeon and specialist at the Esperance Integrative Cancer Clinic, Bumrungrad International Hospital states women over 18 years of age should regularly perform breast self-exams. Benign lumps can form in the milk duct of the breast. Usually there is one lump; multiple lumps are rare and usually few are found. They are solid, round, and rubbery. The lumps may get a little bigger. Their sizes range from less than 1 centimeter to more than 5 centimeters in diameter. They should be removed by surgery before they have the chance to get bigger. If more abnormalities are detected, the patient should consult a doctor for evaluation, diagnosis and devise a timely treatment plan.
Cryoablation is appropriate for patients not wanting to undergo surgery. There is no need for general anesthesia, as local anesthesia is applied — leaving a scar as small as a 3 mm. Patients will only feel slight pain, recover fast, and can go home on the day of the treatment. Importantly, cryoablation helps the breast maintain its shape better than surgery because there is no damage to normal breast tissue. Hence, the technique relieves worries of women. At Bumrungrad, the procedure will be led by a surgeon specializing in breast surgery working with a multidisciplinary team of doctors to provide medical care which meets the international safety standards.
Who is cryoablation recommended for?
- Over the age of 18 who have been diagnosed with fibroadenoma with a core needle biopsy
- With a lump in the breast that is painful or palpitates
- With a tumor 2-4 cm in size that can be pinpointed by ultrasound
- With a tumor that grew by 20% during the last six months as identified during the last check-up
- Who have undergone mammography and ultrasound, and there is 2-10% chance for the tumors to be malignant
- Who have multiple tumors but don't want multiple surgeries and scars
- Who have no prior history of breast cancer
- Who are not pregnant
- With tumors that are not close to the skin
- With no serious illnesses
Assist. Prof. Dr. Sasithorn Sujarittanakarn adds, "Tumor cells are destroyed during the procedure, and the body will produce new, healthy cells to replace them. At first, the patient might still feel a lump, but this will shrink until gone, and this process can be monitored by ultrasound. The length of time until the lump disappears varies from patient to patient, depending on the initial size of the lump and other factors. Studies show that: Six months after the procedure, in some cases, the lumps are completely gone while others might remain, albeit smaller. One year after the procedure, lumps are smaller with blurred edges, or have disintegrated. Two years after the procedure, in every case, no lumps remain."
For more information and inquiries, please contact the Esperance Integrative Cancer Clinic, Bumrungrad International Hospital, 11th Floor, Building C, call +6620115888, or visit our website at https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/packages/cryoablation-of-breast-fibroadenoma
Source: โรงพยาบาลบำรุงราษฎร์