Understanding Your Eligibility
Deciding whether to undergo cryoablation is a highly personal choice. It involves considering your feelings about traditional breast surgeries such as mastectomy or lumpectomy and evaluating the specific characteristics of your tumor, including its size, location, stage, and biology.
Medical Criteria for Cryoablation
Tumor Size
Invasive breast cancers smaller than 2 cm are ideal candidates. However, larger tumors may also qualify on a case-by-case basis. Patients with tumors greater than 2 cm sometimes refuse lumpectomy or mastectomy. In these cases, cryoablation may be performed using the "multiple cryoprobe technique," which creates overlapping cryoablation zones that merge together to freeze a much larger area than can be treated with a single cryoprobe.
Cancer Type
Cryoablation is effective for estrogen / progesterone-sensitive invasive ductal breast cancer. While most of the data supporting cryoablation are derived from patients with infiltrative or invasive ductal carcinoma, other breast cancer subtypes, such as infiltrating lobular carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ, may also be treated on a case-by-case basis. This is particularly true if the patient refuses lumpectomy or mastectomy and if pre-treatment imaging shows a well-defined area of disease that can be accurately targeted with cryoablation.
Imaging Requirements
The area of disease must be clearly visible on imaging studies, preferably ultrasound, as most procedures are performed under ultrasound guidance. However, if the cancer is not clearly visible by ultrasound, then one or more ultrasound visible biopsy site markers or clips can be inserted into the breast to guide the cryoablation procedure.
Personal Factors Influencing Your Decision
Health Status
Cryoablation may be performed regardless of health status. However, women with multiple. health conditions may prefer cryoablation to avoid the risks of surgery and general anesthesia.
Cryoablation is performed in the office under local anesthesia. There is no need for general anesthesia, antibiotics, breathing tubes, IVs, or blood draws. It can even be performed without stopping blood thinners like Eliquis.
Cosmetic Concerns
Unlike lumpectomy, cryoablation causes very little change to the appearance of the breast. Therefore, some women with small breasts might prefer cryoablation over lumpectomy to prevent the cosmetic effects of lumpectomy. Other women might consider cryoablation to eliminate the need for mastectomy.
Treatment Preferences
Some women prefer to avoid surgery if possible, while others may choose lumpectomy or mastectomy despite the availability of less invasive options.
Financial Considerations
Qualify for a Clinical Trial
Participating in a clinical trial may provide access to cryoablation without out-of-pocket expenses. Clinical trials cover the cost of the procedure and related medical care, but patients must meet the trial's eligibility criteria and adhere to its requirements.
Payment Policy
If you do not qualify for a clinical trial or prefer not to participate in one, cryoablation can be considered on a case-by-case basis. This option requires out-of-pocket payment, as it is not billed to health insurance or Medicare.
CareCredit
For assistance with procedure costs, consider financial options like CareCredit. This healthcare credit card helps manage out-of-pocket medical expenses, allowing you to pay over time with flexible financing options.
Submit Your Case
We invite you to submit your case for a free case preview with Dr. Dennis Holmes. Our goal is to make the process as easy and accessible as possible, ensuring you get the information and support you need.
