Breast cancer care during a pandemic: an opportune time for cryoablation?

Abstract

Purpose Cryoablation is a minimally-invasive percutaneous procedure that is capable of reducing the psychosocial burden of surgical delay while also decreasing the morbidity of breast cancer therapy. The purpose of this editorial is to discuss the potential role of cryoablation for reducing the psychosocial burden of surgical delay during the COVID-19 pandemic by expediting the management of breast cancer while also lessening demand on limited healthcare resources. Methods This editorial critiques current expert opinion recommendations that aim to reduce viral transmission and preserve healthcare resources during the COVID-19 pandemic by advocating delay of elective breast cancer surgery. Results The editorial summarizes the current state of the evidence that supports the selective use of cryoablation as a definite or stopgap measure in the management of breast cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic or when healthcare resources are limited. Conclusions As an office-based procedure performed under local anesthesia, cryoablation eliminates the need for operating room personnel and equipment while also reducing the psychosocial impact of delayed breast cancer surgery. By reducing the number of patient and healthcare provider interactions, cryoablation not only decreases the risk of viral transmission but also the need for personal protective devices during resource-limited times.

Cryoablation: A promising non-operative therapy for low-risk breast cancer

“…Of the 276,480 new invasive breast cancers expected in 202,0 21 , 70% are expected to be low-risk early-stage (stage I, ERþ, PRþ, and HER2-). 22 With a conservative estimate of half of these tumors being amenable to cryoablation, it would be a feasible option for approximately 100,000 of these patients. This paper documents the initial experience with ultrasoundguided, single-probe cryoablation of early-stage ERþ, PRþ, and HER2-tumors 15 mm without surgical excision with short-term follow-up.…”

Effects of Lean Thinking and Emerging Technologies on Breast Cancer Patients' Therapeutic Process During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case-Control Matched Study

“…In a recent editorial, Holmes ( 16 ) suggested that, during the current pandemic, cryoablation therapy could either be a definitive solution or a valid stopgap solution in patients too anxious to delay surgery. Cryoablation has progressively emerged as a minimally invasive new technology alternative to breast cancer surgery, with reduced morbidity and psychosocial and cosmetic impact.…”

Técnicas de ablación como tratamiento en pacientes con cáncer de mama

“…Usando una criosonda de mano similar a una aguja y nitrógeno líquido, los tumores generalmente se ablacionan en dos ciclos de congelación-descongelación que alcanzan una temperatura central de -180°C. Las masas mamarias de menor o igual 2 cm se pueden congelar en tan solo 30-45 min, una lesión cutánea se previene mediante la inyección repetida de solución salina debajo de la dermis para mantener la separación entre la piel y la masa congelada subyacente (Holmes, 2020).…”