With very encouraging results for cancer patients, the Hospital de Bellvitge de Barcelona, HUB, has been applying a freezing technique for the treatment of primary tumors.
This is “percutaneous cryoablation” or freezing of tumors, which in some cases can replace surgery.
The results are very promising, since the technique consists of freezing the tumors at temperatures as low as -40 degrees by inserting special needles into the tumor.
In this way, tumor cells are destroyed in a very precise manner.
The new technique is proving effective in the treatment of primary tumors because it is a less invasive method compared to surgery. It also does not require making incisions in the skin.
As for the treatment of secondary tumors (those that have already begun the process of metastasis), “percutaneous cryoablation” has been effective in reducing pain and relieving other symptoms.
Percutaneous cryoablation or freezing technique
This method can be applied to primary tumors located in “soft” parts of the body, such as areas close to joints, muscles and bones.
Already for secondary tumors it yields positive results in terms of pain management.
This breakthrough represents a new milestone in tumor treatment research and the impetus for further research.
The procedure is performed with the patient sedated, without requiring general anesthesia, thus avoiding an invasive process.
Another advantage is that the patient is admitted to the hospital for a maximum of 24 hours.
In addition, it facilitates the treatment of larger areas compared to other techniques and allows visualization of the entire affected area.
By covering a good extension of the involved area, it is possible to avoid lesions in structures close to the tumor.
The effects of cryoablation can be seen immediately.
Although this treatment is a pioneer in the Spanish state, Bellvitge Hospital began to use it since 2015, becoming the first center in Catalonia to practice this technique to treat tumors present in the locomotor system.
The treatments performed involved interventional radiologists specialized in musculoskeletal pathology, in collaboration with anesthesiologists, oncologists and surgeons.
The HUB shares its experience
For its part, the Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge, HUB, shared its experience in percutaneous cryoablation in tumors of the locomotor system in the 1st theoretical-practical course aimed at interventional radiologists from health centers throughout Spain.
The course was held on October 17 and 18 at the HUB facilities, where treatment results, advantages and possible complications of the technique were reviewed.
The attendees also attended practical sessions in the hospital’s Computed Tomography room.
