CryotherapyCryotherapy involves the usage of freezing temperature to annihilate the diseased tissues.
It is also referred to as cryoablation, cryosurgery or targeted cryoablation therapy. It is minimally invasive tissue that is capable of eliminating cancer cells. This technique comprises of application of argon gas or liquid nitrogen on the diseased cells, which is present outside or inside the body. Cryotherapy requires certain techniques, such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound or computed tomography for treatment. Cryotherapy benefits certain conditions such as freckles, skin tumours, nodules, retinoblastoma (retinal cancer in childhood), precancerous skin moles, liver, prostate and cervical cancer. The effect of cryotherapy on other conditions, namely fibro adenomas or breast lumps, bone tumour and tumours of the lung, brain, spine and kidney is under research.
Individuals are provided with antibiotics. This provides relief from infection and prevents the same. Notify the physician regarding any kind of allergies, such as allergy to anaesthesia, x-ray dye and so on. Inform the physician regarding pregnancies as imaging techniques, which involve harmful radiations, prove dangerous for the foetus. Painkillers relieve any kind of discomfort, prior to cryotherapy.
In this procedure a spray device or cotton swab is used. A bronchoscope is used during cryotherapy, to enable the examination of the respiratory passage. Certain equipments monitor the blood pressure and heart beat of the individual during the technique. A cryoprobe is used to deliver the gas, in case of internal injuries or tumours. It has an array of small needles, which is inserted into the skin. This cures the tissue that is diseased. In the case of external injury, a cotton swab is helpful. The reduced temperature destroys the affected cells due to three reasons. Firstly, the ice crystals are at a temperature of -40 degree Celsius, which results in cell tear. Secondly, presence of ice results in osmosis. This causes shrinkage of the cells, due to formation of ice. The tumours are frozen due to reduced temperature, which is followed by the second procedure of thawing. The latter results in the inflow of water, thereby bursts the cells. Lastly, formation of ice within the cells results in suffocation. This causes a shortage of the blood thereby the affected cells cease. The temperature is maintained for ten minutes, as the average clotting time is around ten minutes. The white blood cells act as scavengers in the removal of the dead cells. It also enhances the immune system. Cryotherapy causes scars in minimal amounts and prevents calcifications. |
