What is cryosurgery?
Veterinary medicine continues to advance, introducing innovative techniques to improve the quality of life for pets. One such innovation is cryotherapy, a procedure utilizing extremely low temperatures to treat neoplasia or tumors in animals. This article explores the basics of cryotherapy, its applications, benefits, and limitations.
Cryotherapy involves freezing and destroying tumor cells while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. It is minimally invasive and commonly used for treating various tumors and skin lesions. The procedure applies liquid nitrogen at -196ºC directly to the lesion, causing a quick reaction:
- A blister forms and flattens within 2–3 days.
- Complete skin healing occurs in 2–4 weeks.
Cryotherapy reduces the spread of tumor cells in premalignant lesions and can have an immunotherapeutic effect in malignant neoplasms.
Historical Context
Cryosurgery has been practiced for over 200 years. The application of intense cold kills targeted tissue and numbs sensory nerves, alleviating pain and discomfort. In human medicine, cryotherapy is used to treat intractable cancer, liver and prostate cancer, cervical cancer, hemorrhoids, and various skin conditions.
For animals, cryosurgery is ideal for:
- Tumors in challenging locations like the mouth.
- Removing tumors or lesions animals constantly bite, lick, or scratch.
- Treating elderly pets at high risk for general anesthesia.
The intense cold also eliminates bacteria and germs, making it effective for infected tissues.
How is cryosurgery performed?
Cryosurgery works by freezing and destroying cells in targeted tissues. Since cells are composed of about 70% water, freezing causes ice crystals to form inside, tearing and rupturing the cells. Additional damage occurs when blood vessels supplying diseased tissue freeze.
The procedure often involves liquid nitrogen, which can be applied in various ways:
- Sprayed directly on the tissue.
- Circulated through a cryoprobe.
- Dabbed using a cotton or foam swab.
Is cryosurgery painful?
Freezing can be painful, so pets may require local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia. If additional treatments are necessary at the same location, further anesthetics may not be needed due to the inherent analgesic effect of the procedure.
Following treatment, the tissue gradually dies and sloughs away. In moist areas like the mouth or anus, tissue may liquefy and appear green or gangrenous, accompanied by a foul odor. Despite the appearance, there is no discomfort due to the temporary anesthetic effect.
Effectiveness of Cryosurgery
Cryosurgery can often be curative depending on the condition and location:
- Small warts and tumors usually require only one session.
- Tumors in the mouth often go into remission after one treatment.
- Distichiasis (removal of extra eyelashes) has a high success rate.
It is effective for various lesions:
Malignant Lesions: Squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, adenocarcinomas, melanomas.
Benign Lesions: Papillomas, epitheliomas, pyogenic granulomas, keloids, benign warts, angiomas, actinic keratosis.
Cryosurgery is especially useful in delicate areas like:
- Nasal plane.
- Eyelids and eyeball.
- Ear edges.
- Mucous membranes of the oral and genital cavity.
Benefits and Considerations
Benefits:
- Minimally invasive, with less pain and fewer side effects compared to traditional surgery.
- Efficient, with fast treatment and relatively short recovery times.
- Versatile, applicable to a wide range of lesions.
Considerations:
Cryotherapy must be administered by a veterinary specialist to evaluate suitability. While safer than surgery, it is not ideal for all cases.
Cost of Cryosurgery
Treatment costs range from $100 to $300, including regular office visit fees. Prices vary based on:
- Type of anesthesia or sedation.
- Size and type of lesion.
- Treatment areas.
Cryotherapy offers a promising, less invasive option for treating neoplasia in pets. It effectively treats a variety of tumors and lesions with minimal discomfort and quick recovery times. Always consult a specialist veterinarian to determine the best treatment approach for your pet.