Submit Your Case

Find out if you are a candidate for cryoablation. Submit your medical records, and Dr. Holmes will review them to determine if this procedure is suitable for you. Dr. Holmes does not charge for this free case preview.

Step 1
Prepare for Submission

Step 2
Let Us Know

Step 3
Complete Questionnaire

Step 4
Submit Imaging Studies

Step 5
Submit Written Reports

Step 6
Receive Confirmation

Step 1:
Prepare for Submission

Gather a complete set of recent imaging studies and pathology report(s).

How to Prepare for Submission

Make sure you have a complete set of recent imaging studies. Dr. Holmes performs cryoablation under ultrasound guidance. However, he relies of the combination of ultrasound, mammography, and contrast-enhanced breast MRI to obtain the best assessment of breast anatomy and cancer extent. The reason for combining this trio of imaging studies is that ultrasound does not always reveal the full extent of the cancer.

What You'll Need

Having recently performed breast imaging studies is important to making sure that your cancer features do not change significantly between the date of your cancer diagnosis and the date you would be scheduled to undergo cryoablation. By recently, we mean within three months of your cryoablation procedure. If more recent studies are needed, we can help you get more recent studies performed near your home or in Los Angeles.

To prepare your case for upload, collect and organize any recent reports, documents and CDs related to your case. You will need to scan any paper documents and convert or save them as “PDF” files. Some healthcare or radiology facilities allow you to request or download electronic or PDF files directly from your patient portal.

Don't worry, if you can't create PDF files, you can fax or mail your documents to us. Fedex and UPS are recommended for mailings. Find mailing instructions under Step 4 on this page.

Documents Ready? Begin Submission

Ultrasound of the affected breast

Performed or repeated less than 3 months before cryoablation. Ultrasound is our first requirement, but we recommend other scans to show the full extent of the cancer.

Mammograms of the affected breast

Performed or repeated less than 3 months before cryoablation. Mammograms might reveal features of the cancer like calcifications that ultrasound might miss.

Contrast-enhanced MRI of the breasts

Performed or repeated less than 3 months before cryoablation. MRIs often show suspicious areas of blood flow and additional cancer not seen on mammograms or ultrasound. Contrast-enhanced MRIs are recommended but not required. Breast MRIs without contrast are not recommended.

Needle biopsy report

Share reports of any needle biopsies performed in the affected breast.

Other relevant documentation

Please share any other recent reports, documents, and CDs related to your case (e.g. genetic testing results or consult notes).

Optional: thermography

Performed or repeated less than 3 months before cryoablation.

Step 2:
Let Us Know

Contact our office at 1-818-539-1985 Ext. 3 or info@cryoablation.com to let us know that you will be submitting your case for review.

Step 3:
Complete Questionnaire

Complete the secure online questionnaire below.

Step 4:
Submit Imaging Studies

Prepare and send your recent imaging studies to us via mymedicalimages.com, express mail, or in-person.

Options to Submit Your Imaging Studies

As documented in Step 1, gather recent CD's of your most recent mammogram, ultrasound, and breast MRI.

Reports for any of these studies will be submitted as described below in Step 5.

Upload via mymedicalimages.com (preferred)

We utilize mymedicalimages.com to provide a fast and secure way for you to upload your medical images for their review.

A mymedicalimages.com subscription costs $29.95 per year for unlimited use. You can receive a $10 discount by using the code CRYODR during signup. Feel free to cancel your subscription after your procedure.

Steps to Submit:

  • Prepare Your Files: As documented in Step 1, gather recent CD's of your most recent mammogram, ultrasound, and breast MRI.
  • Upload Your Files:
    • Click the "Upload to mymedicalimages.com" button below.
    • Enter your account email and phone number.
    • Type "Dennis R. Holmes, MD" as the recipient.
    • Add any comments, and select "send."

Benefits:

  • Upload and share images in minutes.
  • Your original files remain in your possession.
  • Avoid the hassle of mailing records or worrying about lost files.
  • You can use your subscription to share follow-up imaging studies after your cryoablation procedure.

Send via Express Mail

If you prefer to send your imaging and reports by mail, you can do so using a secure method like FedEx or USPS that provides a tracking number. Please send all files, including imaging CDs and corresponding reports, to:

Dennis R. Holmes, MD
Sam and Grace Carvajal Comprehensive Breast Center
1505 Wilson Terrace, Suite 370
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 1-818-539-1985 Ext. 3
(Select the option for “No Signature Required”)

Upload at CVS

If you don't have a CD Drive, you can upload using a Kodak Moments® Photo Kiosk at a nearby CVS location.

Select the "Upload My Medical Images" title on a Kodak Moments® Photo Kiosk to get started.

When prompted, enter the code below to find Dr. Holmes:

Physician Account Code "DRHOLMES"

Submit Imaging In-Person

If you are planning to travel to Los Angeles for an in-person consultation with Dr. Holmes, you can bring your imaging studies with you. The office consultation will include a detailed review of your case files, a physical examination, and a breast and lymph ultrasound as part of your assessment.

Step 5:
Submit Written Reports

Prepare and send your recent written reports to us via the secure form below, express mail, or in-person.

Options to Submit Written Reports

As documented in Step 1, gather all recent written reports of your recent mammograms, ultrasounds, breast MRI, and breast biopsies.

Upload Online via Secure Form

Complete the form below to upload PDF files of your written reports.

Send via Express Mail

If you prefer to send your reports by mail, you can do so using a secure method like FedEx or USPS that provides a tracking number. Please send all corresponding reports to:

Dennis R. Holmes, MD
Sam and Grace Carvajal Comprehensive Breast Center
1505 Wilson Terrace, Suite 370
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 1-818-539-1985 Ext. 3
(Select the option for “No Signature Required”)

Submit Reports In-Person

If you are planning to travel to Los Angeles for an in-person consultation with Dr. Holmes, you can bring your written reports with you. The office consultation will include a detailed review of your case files, a physical examination, and a breast and lymph ultrasound as part of your assessment.

Step 6:
Confirm Receipt

We will confirm receipt of your submission within 48 business hours. Soon after, Dr. Holmes’ office will contact you with your case preview results. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from us by 48 hours, please contact us.

What to expect after submitting

Setting expectations is crucial for a smooth case preview process. The purpose of Dr. Holmes’ “case preview” is specifically to evaluate your eligibility for cryoablation. It is not intended to provide general medical advice about your cancer diagnosis nor does it eliminate the need for a breast examination.

After Submission

We will confirm receipt of your submission within 48 business hours. Soon after, Dr. Holmes’ office will contact you with your case preview results. If you have not received a confirmation of receipt from us by 48 hours, please contact our office at 1-818-539-1985 Ext. 3 or info@cryoablation.com to confirm that your case has been received.  

You will be notified if additional medical files (such as reports or radiology images) or procedures (like an additional breast biopsy) are needed before determining your eligibility for cryoablation. Imaging studies should generally be no more than 2-3 months old. If a phone discussion or video chat is requested by either you or Dr. Holmes, we will work with you to schedule a mutually convenient time, and you will be charged for this consultation.

Potential Results

The case impression can result in three possible scenarios:

Scenario #1: You could be informed that you are eligible for cryoablation within an open clinical trial. You will not be billed for cryoablation within a clinical trial; however, participation requires committing to all trial requirements. If you are unwilling to follow all requirements, you might be offered cryoablation outside of the trial (see Scenario #2).

Scenario #2: You could be informed that you are not eligible for cryoablation within a clinical trial but are a candidate for cryoablation “off-protocol.” The cost of off-protocol cryoablation is charged to the patient and not billed to insurance or Medicare. The actual cost is based on the number of cryoablations needed to completely treat the cancer and a surrounding margin of normal tissue. You will be given a quote for the cost prior to the procedure. Off-protocol treatment also applies to those who qualify for a trial but are unwilling to adhere to all trial requirements.

Scenario #3: You could be informed that you are not eligible for cryoablation under any circumstances. In this case, Dr. Holmes will discuss other treatment options available to you. Sometimes, surgery is required, and some patients opt to have Dr. Holmes perform their surgery.

For Eligible Patients, What’s Next?

 If Dr. Holmes determines that you are eligible for cryoablation, his staff will contact you to schedule an initial appointment by telehealth, by phone, or in person if you desire to move forward with the appointment.

If you decide to travel to Los Angeles for cryoablation, we will help coordinate your visit and a formal, face-to-face consultation with Dr. Holmes. This office consultation will include a detailed review of your case files, a physical examination, and a repeat breast and lymph ultrasound as part of your examination. You will also be provided with the informed consent documents that must be completed and signed before the procedure.

REMINDER: If you previously submitted your imaging studies online, please bring the actual CDs with you when you come to see us.

Visit our Guide for Out-of-Town Patients to find out what you should know about traveling to see Dr. Holmes for cancer treatment.

DISCLAIMER: A face-to-face interview, physical examination, and/or repeat ultrasound performed by Dr. Holmes could reveal additional findings that may affect your eligibility for cryoablation or influence the approach taken during the procedure. For example, if Dr. Holmes detects a new, previously unreported growth, you might need an additional needle biopsy or another cryoablation procedure. It is also possible that an in-person visit could determine that you are not a candidate for cryoablation, necessitating a new treatment plan. To minimize surprises, it's important to submit a complete and recent set of imaging studies for consideration of cryoablation.