#cryoablation

IceCure, a Tel Aviv-based medical device company has received additional US Food and Drug Administration approval for its tumor-treating cryoablation technology.In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Thursday, Tlalit Bussi Tel Tzure,

IceCure’s vice president of business development and global marketing, said the company received its first approval by the FDA in 2010 following clinical trials and evaluations. The company was founded in 2006.Read More Related Articles

“The cryoablation system only became commercial in 2014,” she explained. “We had already general FDA approval to treat benign and cancerous tissues, but we didn’t have a specific application, meaning which organ we are treating with the cryoablation system.”

Tel Tzure explained the new FDA approval “allows us to expand our capabilities in the US, meaning we can now treat liver and kidney tumors that are cancerous with our system.”IceCure also received approval for ear, nose and throat application, “but we are not active in that application yet.”

Asked how the system works, Tel Tzure explained that cryoablation is the destruction of the cancerous or benign tumor tissue by applying to it a very cold temperature.

What is cryoablation?

Imagine being able to freeze nerves to minus 80 degrees Celsius to manage pain. This isn’t science fiction; it’s a reality with cryoablation. The term "cryoablation" breaks down to "cryo" meaning cold and "ablation" meaning destruction. This innovative, minimally invasive technique uses extreme cold to temporarily disable nerve function and reduce pain. Cryoablation interrupts pain signals transmitted to the brain, providing an alternative to traditional nerve destruction methods like alcohol neurolysis or surgery, in certain situations.

Which type of pain conditions can be treated using this technology?

Cryoablation is effective for a variety of common pain conditions, including:

Acute and Post-Surgery Pain: Used for pain associated with surgeries such as hernia repair, rib fractures, thoracotomy (chest surgery), mastectomy (breast surgery), shoulder surgery, and knee replacement surgery.

Musculoskeletal pain such as shoulder or knee pain secondary to arthritis.

Shoulder pain: arthritis, rotator cuff repair, adhesive capsulitis, bursitis.

Knee pain: osteoarthritis, persistent post-surgical pain.

Hip pain: osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis, trochanteric bursitis.

Chest pain: Post-rib fracture and persisting costochondritis pain.

Chronic longstanding painconditions such as

Chest wall pain: Including post thoracotomy, post herpetic (after herpes zoster infection) pain, and pain originating from chest nerves (intercostal Neuralgia).

Chronic groin and pelvic pain: Including genital pain.

Headache disorders: with favourable response to nerve blocks such as the Occipital, supraorbital or supratrochlear nerves.

Phantom Limb Pain:common after amputation.

Nerve (Neuropathic) pain such as headaches from occipital Neuralgia or thigh pain form meralgia paresthetica, neuroma pain after amputation. Neuromas including Morton’s and Stump neuromas.

Spinal pain: such as from the arthritis of spinal joints (facet joint pain) in neck, middle of back, lower back, and pelvis joints (Sacroiliac Joints)

Chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP)- Post-surgical pain secondary to nerve injuries and entrapments in scar tissue or mesh can be treated with cryoablation. It is frequently used for treating persisting pain after chest wall, hernia, and amputation surgery.

Cancer pain: Localized to a nerve or region, particularly in cases of tumor infiltration of nerves. Has been used for pain related to abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic neoplasms.

Cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy or cryoablation, has emerged as a promising and innovative approach in the treatment of bone cancer. This minimally invasive technique harnesses the power of extreme cold to destroy cancerous cells, offering a viable alternative to traditional methods such as surgery or radiation therapy.

In cryoablation for bone cancer, a specialized probe is inserted directly into the tumor site under the guidance of imaging techniques like ultrasound or CT scans. Liquid nitrogen or argon gas is then circulated through the probe, creating an intensely cold environment that freezes the cancer cells. The freezing process, known as cryonecrosis, induces cellular damage and triggers a cascade of events leading to cell death.

One of the key advantages of cryosurgery is its ability to precisely target the cancerous tissue while sparing the surrounding healthy bone structures. This targeted approach minimizes collateral damage and preserves the functionality of adjacent joints and organs. Additionally, cryosurgery is associated with reduced postoperative pain, shorter recovery times, and lower complication rates compared to traditional surgeries.

The effectiveness of cryosurgery in treating bone cancer lies in its ability to not only eliminate the primary tumor but also to stimulate an immune response against cancer cells. The freezing and thawing process disrupts the blood supply to the tumor, creating an inhospitable environment for cancer cell survival.

Despite the promising outcomes, cryosurgery for bone cancer is not suitable for all cases, and careful patient selection is crucial. The procedure is often considered for localized tumors in the early stages, and its success may vary depending on factors such as tumor size, location, and histological characteristics.

In conclusion, cryosurgery represents a groundbreaking advancement in the field of bone cancer treatment. This technique combines precision, minimal invasiveness, and favorable outcomes, offering new hope for patients facing the challenges of bone cancer. Ongoing research and clinical trials continue to refine the application of cryosurgery, positioning it as a valuable tool in the multidisciplinary approach to combating this formidable disease.

Bone Cancer Case Sharing

Case 1

Cryosurgery for bone cancer