The first question mark in the mind of every woman diagnosed with breast cancer is how the shape of the breast will change after surgery and how soon she can return to her life. While traditional surgical methods (lumpectomy or mastectomy) are successful in removing cancerous tissue, they come with surgical scars, loss of breast tissue volume, and anesthesia risks. However, today, with Cryoablation (Freezing and Elimination) technology provided by interventional radiology, we can treat small breast cancers without surgery, entering through just a needle hole.

Cryoablation is one of the biggest oncological revolutions of recent years, killing the tumor by "freezing" it inside the body without destroying the natural structure of breast tissue.

What is Cryoablation? Its Effect on Breast Cancer

Cryoablation is the procedure of placing a very thin probe (needle) directly in the center of the tumor under ultrasound guidance and delivering subfreezing energy (below minus 40 degrees) from the tip of the probe.

During this freezing process, an "ice ball" forms around the tumor. This ice ball shatters the cell membranes of cancer cells, instantly rendering them inactive. The dead cancer cells are gradually cleaned up by the body's own immune system and replaced by healthy fibrous tissue.

Procedure: Step-by-Step Comfort

The cryoablation procedure we perform at our clinic is more of a simple interventional procedure than surgery for our patients:

• Local Anesthesia: The patient is fully awake. Only the small area where the procedure will be performed is numbed.

• Precise Navigation: Under ultrasound guidance, needle placement is performed to cover every cell of the tumor.

• Freezing Cycle: The tumor is completely frozen through approximately 10-15 minute freezing and thawing cycles.

• Immediate Discharge: The procedure takes about 30-40 minutes. Since there is no surgical incision requiring stitches, only a small bandage is applied and the patient leaves the clinic walking after half an hour.

Why Choose Cryoablation Instead of Surgery?

The advantages cryoablation offers over surgery, especially for early-stage breast cancer patients, fundamentally change quality of life:

1. Perfect Aesthetic Result: No surgical scars remain, the breast shape does not collapse or deform. From outside, you cannot tell the procedure was even performed.

2. Immunological Advantage (Vaccine Effect): Research shows that frozen cancer cells, as they break apart, are "introduced" to the body's immune system. This can create a type of vaccine effect that triggers the body's own resistance to cancer.

3. Rapid Recovery: There is no hospital stay, drain placement, or dressing period. You can return to work or social life the next day.

4. No General Anesthesia: For elderly patients or those with additional health problems where narcosis is risky, it is the safest way.

Who is Suitable for Cryoablation?

This method is not suitable for every breast cancer case. The situations where we achieve the most successful results are usually:

• Early-stage breast cancer (usually tumors less than 2 cm).

• Patients with single-site tumors.

• Individuals who do not want surgery or have high aesthetic concerns.

• Patients considered at risk for surgical intervention due to advanced age or chronic diseases.

Doctor's Note: Cryoablation is a method with the same oncological success rates (local control) as surgically removing the tumor. However, the key to this success is for the procedure to be performed by an experienced interventional radiologist with high-resolution imaging guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the mass disappear immediately after the procedure?

No, the mass dies instantly during the procedure but remains in volume. It may take months for your body to completely clear this dead tissue. During this time, the mass softens and gradually becomes imperceptible.

Is there a risk of remaining cancer cells?

We ensure that the ice ball covers the tumor with at least a 5-10 mm safety margin during the procedure. By monitoring with ultrasound that the tumor is completely inside the ice, complete success is achieved.

Does it prevent future radiotherapy or chemotherapy?

Absolutely not. After cryoablation, you can safely receive other additional treatments recommended by your oncologist (hormone therapy, radiotherapy, etc.).

Conclusion: Open a Modern Chapter in Your Breast Health

A breast cancer diagnosis does not have to be a pause point in your life. You can be cured of cancer without experiencing the trauma of traditional surgery while preserving the natural structure of your breast. Cryoablation is a "cold-blooded" and effective way to fight cancer.

You too can consult our clinic to evaluate non-surgical options for your diagnosis and create a personalized treatment plan.