• Cryotherapy (or cryosurgery) uses the controlled application of low temperatures to achieve selective destruction of tissues. It is used to treat both benign and malignant conditions, particularly of the skin.
• Cryogens (nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen) freeze tissues, reaching low temperatures of -50°C/-58°F to -60°C/-76°F, which causes cell rupture and death.
• Techniques include open-spray, closed-spray and cryoprobe methods.
• Single and double freeze-thaw cycles have been recommended.

Uses

• Treatment of tumors found on the skin, lips, eyelids and the perianal region Cutaneous neoplasia.
• Particularly suitable for elderly, high-risk surgical patients.
• Most useful for treatment of superficial, small, non-invasive lesions, or when definitive surgery cannot be performed because of limitations imposed by regional anatomy or owner reluctance.
• It can be an alternative treatment for recurrent tumors, lesions near or adherent to bone or cartilage, and when there are multiple skin lesions where conventional surgical excision is not feasible.
• Also, to treat lesions when other methods are impractical or when lesions are located in areas without sufficient skin for wound closure after surgery.

Advantages

• May or may not require multiple anesthetic events.
• In some cases, it may be performed using sedation and local anesthesia.
• Less invasive technique with lower morbidity than surgical resection.
• Allows better preservation of normal anatomy.
• Low frequency of major complications.

Disadvantages

• Deep lesions may need repeated treatments.
• Some complications may appear (post-freezing swelling, pain and self-trauma).
• Not adequate for mast cell tumors or bony tumors.

Technical problems

• Lack of experience in the application of cryotherapy is associated with a higher risk of recurrence.

Alternative techniques

• Surgery.
• Radiotherapy Cancer therapy overview.
• Chemotherapy Chemotherapy: general principles.