Cryotherapy - this is the treatment of pain, in which the method of topical application of sub-zero temperatures to kill the nerve irritation. Cryotherapy is also used by dermatologists as a method of local treatment of certain cancers (kriooperatsiya), such as prostate cancer, and for the treatment of abnormal skin cells.

When cryotherapy Cryotherapy   in tissue adjacent to the affected area, the probe is inserted. Probe temperature falls to a value, which effectively freezes the nerve. Freeze deactivate the nerve, resulting in nerve irritation easier. Cryotherapy - a relatively safe and effective treatment for local irritation of the nerves.

What diseases can be treated with cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy may be applied topically (on the skin), percutaneously or surgically. Outdoor cryotherapy is commonly used for skin or eye lesions. When struck by a site that is under the skin surface, you need to enter through the skin probe or applicator. Sometimes surgery is needed.

Cryotherapy is used to treat the following diseases:

• Skin tumors
• Precancerous skin formation
• Nodes
• Papillomas, warts
• Unwanted freckles
• Retinoblastoma, childhood cancer of the retina
• Cancer of the prostate, liver and cervix, especially if surgical resection is not possible

Cryotherapy is also used in the treatment of tumors in other body parts such as the kidneys, bones (including the spinal cord), lung, and breast (including fibroadenomas Fibroadenoma , Benign tumor of the breast). Although further research is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of cryotherapy, for some patients it is effective.

What are the side effects of cryotherapy?

Although cryotherapy can reduce the irritation of the nerves, sometimes it can leave unusual sensations such as numbness or tingling, or redness and irritation of the skin. Usually, these feelings are temporary.

How does cryotherapy

The cryotherapy used gases such as nitrogen or argon, to create a very low temperature to destroy the diseased tissue. To destroy diseased tissue, which is inside the body, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to a cotton swab or by using a spray. For tumors that are under the skin surface and deep into the body, the physician under ultrasound enters one or more applicators or cryoprobes through the skin to the affected tissue, and then enters the liquid nitrogen or argon. Living tissue, healthy or diseased, can not withstand the extremely low temperatures, and die.

Because cryotherapy consists of a series of steps that lead to cell death, tumor repeatedly frozen and thawed, are commonly used two such cycles. When the cells are destroyed, the white blood cells of the immune system works, cleansing the body of dead tissue.

How is the procedure

The most common procedure is cryotherapy outpatient doctor's office, at least - in the operating room.

• If cryotherapy applied topically, the physician will cause the liquid nitrogen to a site that undergoes processing.
• For the treatment of deep tumors, which can be reached through the skin, the doctor inserts a thin probe or applicator. You can connect to a monitor that will monitor your pulse, blood pressure and heart rate during the procedure.
• You will enter a sedative through an IV. Sometimes, it may be used general anesthesia.
• When applicators or probes inserted therethrough introduce liquid nitrogen or argon. This is done under ultrasound guidance.

Some tumors require multiple applicators to fully freeze them. For prostate cancer through the perineum administered six to eight applicators.

The entire procedure lasts one to three hours.

The benefits and risks of cryotherapy

Benefits:

• The recovery time after cryotherapy kidney or liver tumors smaller than after surgical removal of the tumor.
• In carrying out cryotherapy through the skin of the patient may stay in the hospital overnight, or it may take a few hours after the procedure. Cryotherapy less pain during and after the procedure in comparison with such treatments as radio frequency ablation.
• Cryotherapy, which is made through the skin, less traumatic than open surgery since only a small incision is needed to enter the probe through the skin, allowing minimum damage to healthy tissue. Cryotherapy has fewer side effects than open surgery. The patient usually can return to normal activities after 24 hours after the procedure, or even faster. However, after cryotherapy in the abdomen should refrain from heavy lifting for a few days.
• In the treatment of fibroadenomas cryotherapy leaves minimal scars and does not obezystvleniyu.

Risks:

• Like any percutaneous procedure, cryotherapy can cause bleeding.
• It can cause damage to the normal structure. During liver cryotherapy may be damaged ureter or collecting system. Any treatment of the abdomen can damage the intestine, and puncture the intestine that can cause life-threatening infections.
• If freezing occurs near the diaphragm, fluid can accumulate around the lungs.
• If the procedure is carried out in or near the pulmonary lung, lung collapse may occur.
• Nerve damage may occur. Complete freezing of nerves can cause motor weakness or numbness in the area of ​​these nerves.
• During the procedure, can appear complications related to drugs when anesthesia is performed.
• Women should always inform the doctor if they are pregnant.
• This procedure may require the X-ray irradiation. However, the risk of exposure is not so important compared with the benefits of the procedure.

Cryotherapy for prostate cancer can lead to special complications:

• Complete impotence, because the nerves controlling sexual potency are usually involved in the freezing process. However, some patients can regenerate nerves.
• While the patient is under anesthesia, a catheter is inserted into it to collect urine until after the tumor bladder neck, which appeared as a result of the procedure.
• Cryotherapy can cause blockage of the urine flow of dead tissue. Occlusion can be reduced constantly bathing the urethra sterile warm water through the catheter during the procedure.

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