Effectiveness & Testimonials
Cryoablation has shown promising results in treating early-stage, hormone-sensitive breast cancers. The procedure involves using extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancerous tissues, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgeries like lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Clinical Effectiveness of Cryoablation
Studies have highlighted the following key findings:
- Efficacy for Small Tumors: Cryoablation is most effective for tumors 2 cm or smaller. The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1072 trial reported a 100% success rate for tumors less than 1 cm and a 92% success rate for tumors up to 2 cm.
- Long-Term Success: A Japanese clinical trial involving 304 women with stage I invasive ductal carcinomas reported a 0.98% local recurrence rate over six years, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of cryoablation when combined with anti-estrogen medications and radiation therapy.
- In April 2024, the 5-year follow-up results of the ICE3 trial were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons in Orlando, Florida. The ICE3 trial is multicenter, single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial that evaluated the role of cryoablation as an alternative to surgery. The trial enrolled 194 women years of age (median 75 years) with unifocal, clinical stage I, histologic grade 1 or 2, estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, HER2/neu negative invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by minimally invasive biopsy. The use of anti-estrogen therapy, radiation therapy, and sentinel node biopsy were not mandated by the trial. As such, nearly 80% of ICE3 trial participants utilized endocrine therapy but only 14% received adjuvant radiation therapy and only 8% of participants underwent a sentinel node biopsy. At 5 years of follow-up, there were 7 recurrences of cancer in the same breast yielding a local recurrence free survival rate of 96.7%, which is comparable to lumpectomy clinical trials in women over 60 years of age where radiation therapy was omitted. The 5-year results will be published soon.
Cryoablation also offers theoretical benefits in stimulating an anti-cancer immune response, although this effect is not yet fully proven in humans. Proteins released from cryoablated tumors may help the immune system recognize and attack remaining cancer cells, potentially providing additional protection against recurrence.
Quick, Minimally Invasive, and Highly Effective.
Effectiveness in killing targeted cancer cells.
Average duration of the cryoablation procedure.
Typical recovery time before resuming normal activites.
Local recurrence rate in patients over a 6-year folow-up.
Real Stories from Dr. Holmes’ Patients
I was very at easy with Dr Homes and his staff when dealing with a potentially scary situation. I’m truly grateful for their care.
Nicole F.
Patient
Dr. Holmes and Alba have been great thru this whole experience. I could not ask for a better team.
Alison E.
Patient
Every I could want from a breast surgeon and more. Patient, informative, gentle, thorough.
Margaret S.
Patient
Dr Holmes is a caring professional who listens and takes the time to explain treatment. Both he and his staff run an exceptional practice where the patient is the priority. Would highly recommend
Clara P.
Patient
Very good doctor . The best surgeon. He saved my life .
Lida M.
Patient
Since the day we walked into Dr. Holmes office, my mother and I always felt welcome. Dr. Holmes explains everything to us and he listens to our concerns. His staff our always great.
Rachel D.
Patient
We referred to Dr. Holmes for a second opinion on my wife's breast cancer diagnosis. He was brilliant and very compassionate. He met us on a Saturday morning because he was so busy and then he went out of his way to help us secure a test that our insurance wouldn't approve and our first Oncologist didn't even tell us about, called the Mamma Print test, a genetic test that analyses whether or not chemo would have any efficacy for my wife's type of Breast Cancer. The test came back negative and ended up keeping my wife from having to go through six months of the worst chemo out there called Adrimiason (otherwise known as the Red Devil). I'm not overstating it when I say, his care was life changing for us.
Rich K.
Spouse of Patient
Dr. Holmes is a superb physician and a very kind, and compassionate human being. He truly cares about the physical as well as, the emotional well being of his patients. His graciousness and patience is a virtue. Dr. Holmes has a stupendous disposition and a phenomenal bedside manner. He makes himself available to answer all of your questions and he responds to all of your e-mails. Dr. Holmes genuinely cares about his patients.
Shelley T.
Patient
Dr. Holmes is very nice, gentle and thorough. He took his time with me and and provided me with all necessary information in regards to my cancer. Very appreciative of Dr. Holmes.
Nereida S.
Patient
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