EN
1. What is cryoablation? |
2. Cryoablation in oncology |
3. ИCryoablation in cardiology |
4. Cryosurgery in gynaecology |
5. Cost of procedure |
6. Patient testimonial |
7. Leading clinics |
Cryoablation is the process of destroying abnormal tissue at extremely low temperatures. It is often called cryotherapy or cryosurgery. The procedure is carried out with special cryoprobes. Gas cooled to a temperature of -70 degrees Celsius or lower is delivered to the affected area. Cryoablation is a worthy alternative to classic surgeries. It is minimally invasive and as safe as possible. Find out in this article for which diseases cryotherapy is used, how effective it is and where it can be performed abroad.
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What is cryoablation?
Cryoablation is the destruction of abnormal cells using a highly cooled gas. It is often used in the treatment of benign and malignant tumours, atypical moles, warts, atrial fibrillation and precancerous conditions. The procedure is carried out in three ways:
Locally – liquid nitrogen or compressed argon is applied to the skin surface.
Percutaneous – the pathological tissues are accessed by inserting a cryoprobe into punctures.
Surgically (cryosurgery) – chilled gas is delivered through small incisions in the skin. This method is most commonly used to treat tumours of the kidneys, liver or lungs.
Recovery from cryoablation depends on the type of procedure. With the local use of liquid nitrogen, the patient can go home the same day. For percutaneous treatment, recovery takes 1 to 3 days. Cryosurgery involves 3 to 5 days of hospitalisation and restricted activity for a week and a half.
To book an appointment for cryoablation abroad, fill in the contact form. Our coordinators will call you back to help you with your medical problem as soon as possible.
Cryoablation in oncology
Cryoablation allows cancer cells to be destroyed by intense cold. It is used to treat various types of early-stage cancer, in particular:
Cryoablation is used to relieve pain and manage the symptoms of terminal cancer with bone, liver or lung metastases.
During cryoablation, liquid nitrogen or argon is injected into the tumour using a cryoprobe. The cancerous tissue is then thawed and then frozen again. This procedure is repeated several times during one session. The cold stops the blood supply to the tumour and gradually destroys the tissue.
The cryoablation process can take from 5-10 minutes for minor skin abnormalities, to several hours for open cryosurgery.
3D imaging is used to treat tumours located inside the body. This allows the surgeon to locate the desired area and perform a precise ‘freeze’. The cryoprobe is then inserted through an incision in the body. Afterwards, it is removed and the wound is closed.
The benefits of using cryoablation for cancer
Patients are left with little to no scars, which is especially important for patients with skin or breast cancer.
The procedure does not require a lengthy hospital stay. Patients are usually discharged on the same day.
Low risk of side effects.
Cryoablation is predominantly performed under local anaesthesia. There are therefore no complications associated with the use of general anaesthesia.
Minimal recovery time.
On average, cryoablation has a 98% efficacy rate in early-stage cancer.
Cryoablation in gynaecology
Cryoablation has found a place in the treatment of women’s diseases. It is often used to remove fibroadenoma, a common benign tumour in the breast. This pathology is diagnosed in around 10% of women aged 15-35.
Since 2010, fibroadenoma cryoablation has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It involves injecting a cryo-needle into the tumour, through which a chilled gas is delivered at high pressure.
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and the supervision of an ultrasound transducer. This allows the borders of the neoplasm to be defined accurately and to avoid damaging healthy tissue.
Cryoablation is indicated for patients with one or more fibroadenomas no larger than 4 cm. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. The volume of the breast is fully preserved afterwards. The risks of bleeding or infection are minimised.
Within 5 months of cryoablation, the fibroadenoma may enlarge. Then it will start to shrink in size and disappear completely. 91-99% of women are satisfied with the outcome of this treatment.
You can book an appointment for breast fibroadenoma cryoablation abroad on the MediGlobus international medical platform.
Cryoablation in cardiology
Cryoablation is a unique treatment for cardiovascular abnormalities, particularly atrial fibrillation. It is approved by the FDA to treat atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder characterised by an irregular heartbeat.
In cryoablation, a catheter with a probe and balloon on the end is delivered to the heart through an artery in the groin. Using advanced imaging techniques, the doctor guides the catheter with millimetre precision. Once the balloon reaches the mouth of the pulmonary vein, it inflates and opens space for the cryoprobe. The heart rhythm is normalised by ‘freezing’ the cells that are causing the irregular heartbeat.
Cryoablation is more effective than drug therapy and is less painful than traditional RFA. In 70% of patients, arrhythmias disappear completely after this procedure.
Although many patients with atrial fibrillation undergo radiofrequency ablation, it has certain complications, such as damage to the oesophagus, heart valves or pulmonary vein stenosis. Cryoablation has no such risks. It does not damage healthy heart tissue or neighbouring structures.
Also among the main advantages of using cryoablation rather than RFA is that doctors can cool the heart tissue sufficiently and identify exactly which cells are causing the arrhythmia. If the area is selected incorrectly, then the cooled cells are returned to their function by allowing them to heat up again. With RFA this is not possible and the process is irreversible.
What is the price of cryoablation abroad?
The price of this procedure varies depending on the disease and its severity. For example, the cost of cryoablation for the heart and fibroadenoma of the breast differ. The starting price of an arrhythmia intervention is slightly higher than that of a benign breast tumour. The cost is also influenced by the level of the medical centre and the doctor’s fee. Approximate prices for cryoablation abroad are shown below.
Cost of cardiac cryoablation
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey | from $6,000 |
| Germany | from €14,000 |
| Lithuania | from €15,000 |
Price of fibroadenoma cryoablation
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Turkey | from $5,000 |
| Germany | from €10,000 |
| Lithuania | from €9,000 |
Reviews of cryoablation of the heart abroad
Hospital: Medistate clinic
Procedure: Cryoablation
Patient’s age: 45 years
Patient from: Odesa
Olga: “I suffered from atrial fibrillation for a long time. Medications didn’t help me anymore, and doctors said that radiofrequency ablation was needed. After weighing the pros and cons and reading a lot of information about cryo and RFA, I decided in favour of cryoablation. For this, I chose the Turkish hospital, Medistate. Why Turkey? The answer is simple: there are excellent specialists, and the price of cryoablation of the heart is several times lower than in Germany or Spain… After arriving at the clinic, I underwent additional examinations and prepared myself for the procedure. I was dreadfully nervous, but it turned out to be fine. It only took 30 minutes. To be honest, I did not expect that I could get rid of my disease so easily. I am very happy with the result!”
Where is cryoablation available abroad?
Summary
Cryoablation is a method of destroying pathological tissue by freezing them. It is actively used in oncology, cardiology, dermatology and gynaecology.
During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen or argon is injected under high pressure into a cryoprobe which is inserted into the affected area. Within minutes, the affected tissue is frozen and destroyed. When treating internal organ tumours with cryotherapy, the probe is guided under ultrasound, CT or MRI monitoring.
The cost of cryoablation varies depending on the pathology and its severity. For example, the price of cold ablation for arrhythmia starts at $6,000 and for the treatment of breast fibroadenoma at $5,000.
Not all medical centres offer cryoablation. The top clinics in this field are considered to be: Koç University Hospital, Medistate, Medicana, European Prostate Centre, Kardiolita and Cologne University Hospital.
To find the right clinic for your needs, contact MediGlobus. We work with more than 200 medical centres around the world. Our coordinators will contact the hospital of your choice to find you a competent cryoablation doctor.
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