title: Cryosurgery for breast cancer.
abstract: As the majority of breast cancers present as small non-palpable lesions, alternatives for surgical lumpectomy come into consideration. Breast tumor ablation without surgical excision may be a less morbid procedure without sacrificing cancer control. Cryosurgery is one of several ablative options for the treatment of small unifocal breast cancer. The potential advantages include avoidance of a surgical procedure, less overall discomfort, improved cosmesis, quicker recovery and the prospect of overall cost benefits. Clinical experience in 29 patients is reviewed demonstrating effectiveness in properly chosen patients. A comparison of ablation methods is discussed. Finally, future research of the role of cryosurgery in the management of breast cancer is described.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, Department of Surgery, Bellingham Breast Center, Bellingham, 98225, USA. breastcare@aol.com
authors.forename: Cary S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rewcastle
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003452:Cryosurgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D021701:Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy