Cryotherapy for Cancer Patients in Hungary

The modern field of medicine is continuously evolving, with new, innovative procedures emerging aimed at healing patients and expanding treatment options. The advancement of medical technology allows for increasingly effective treatment of various diseases, including cancer. Among the latest developments is the cryoablation procedure, which is particularly promising in the treatment of malignant kidney tumors.

This method not only targets the destruction of cancerous tissues but also provides a more favorable solution for patients, as it can be performed under local anesthesia without the need for general anesthesia. This can be especially important for those who struggle with other health issues, for whom traditional anesthesia may pose risks.

During the cryoablation procedure, cancerous tissues are cooled to -40 degrees Celsius, which destroys malignant cells through various mechanisms. This method could be a significant pillar of future medicine, as it offers new possibilities in the treatment of cancer.

Introduction to Cryoablation

Cryoablation is an innovative medical technique based on the principle of freezing, aimed at destroying cancerous tissues. During the procedure, a specially designed needle is used, which is guided into the cancerous tissue with the help of imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT. The tissue is cooled to -40 degrees Celsius using high-pressure argon gas inside the needle. The freezing process not only damages the tumor tissue but also has an anesthetic effect, allowing the procedure to be performed under local anesthesia without the need for general anesthesia.

One of the greatest advantages of cryoablation is that, unlike traditional surgeries, it involves less surgical burden, allowing patients to recover more quickly. The procedure can be particularly beneficial for patients who have other health problems, such as cardiovascular diseases, or for whom anesthesia would be risky. Patients can return home the day after the procedure, significantly improving their recovery experience.

Mechanisms and Effects of Cooling

During cryoablation, ice crystals form within cancerous cells, directly damaging them. The freezing also inhibits fluid movement across the cell membrane, thus depriving cancer cells of access to nutrients and oxygen. Additionally, the freezing process halts blood flow, creating an ischemic environment for the tumor.

As the cooling and thawing cycles occur, the damage to the cancerous tissues increases, and the body’s immune response is activated. The proteins and molecules in the frozen tissues become more recognizable to the immune system due to the freezing, allowing the patient’s immune response to contribute to the fight against the tumor. This also enables the enhancement of the effects of anticancer immunotherapies, making cryoablation suitable not only for damaging cancerous tissues but also for boosting the body’s defenses.

Application of Cryoablation in Cancer Treatment

While cryoablation has already been widely used for the treatment of benign tumors, it is relatively new in the case of malignant tumors in our country. The method can be applied to almost any cancerous lesion, such as lung, liver, kidney, and prostate tumors, except for central nervous system tumors. The interventional radiologist decides on the treatment options based on the location and characteristics of the tumor.

A significant advantage of cryoablation is that it reduces surgical risks, as it can be performed under local anesthesia, providing a more comfortable and less burdensome solution for patients. This procedure is particularly recommended for older patients, lung patients, and those with cardiovascular issues, for whom traditional anesthesia is not advisable. Under the framework of social insurance financing, this modern method may also become available on an individual basis, contributing to the treatment of patients battling cancer.

Thus, cryoablation not only offers new possibilities for the effective treatment of cancerous tissues but also significantly impacts the improvement of patients’ quality of life. Ongoing research and development of the procedure may provide new hope for future cancer patients and contribute to the advancement of medical science.