Cryosurgery in Cancer Treatment: Questions and Answers 

Key Points 

• Cryosurgery is a technique for freezing and killing abnormal cells. It is used to treat 

some kinds of cancer and some precancerous or noncancerous conditions, and can be 

used both inside the body and on the skin (see Question 1). 

• Cryosurgery is an alternative to surgery for liver cancer that has not spread, for cancer 

that has spread to the liver from another site, for prostate cancer confined to the prostate 

gland, for a precancerous condition of the cervix, and for cancerous and noncancerous 

tumors of the bone (see Questions 2, 3, and 4). 

• Cryosurgery may have fewer side effects than other types of treatments, and is less 

expensive and requires shorter recovery times (see Questions 5 and 6). 

• The technique is still under study, and its long-term effectiveness is not known (see 

Questions 7 and 8). 

1. What is cryosurgery?

Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy) is the use of extreme cold produced by liquid 

nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryosurgery is used to treat 

external tumors, such as those on the skin. For external tumors, liquid nitrogen is 

applied directly to the cancer cells with a cotton swab or spraying device. 

Cryosurgery is also used to treat tumors inside the body (internal tumors and tumors 

in the bone). For internal tumors, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is circulated through a 

hollow instrument called a cryoprobe, which is placed in contact with the tumor. The 

doctor uses ultrasound or MRI to guide the cryoprobe and monitor the freezing of the 

cells, thus limiting damage to nearby healthy tissue. (In ultrasound, sound waves are 

bounced off organs and other tissues to create a picture called a sonogram.) A ball of 

ice crystals forms around the probe, freezing nearby cells. Sometimes more than one 

probe is used to deliver the liquid nitrogen to various parts of the tumor. The probes 

may be put into the tumor during surgery or through the skin (percutaneously). After

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cryosurgery, the frozen tissue thaws and is either naturally absorbed by the body (for 

internal tumors), or it dissolves and forms a scab (for external tumors). 

2. What types of cancer can be treated with cryosurgery? 

Cryosurgery is used to treat several types of cancer, and some precancerous or 

noncancerous conditions. In addition to prostate and liver tumors, cryosurgery can be an 

effective treatment for the following: 

 

• Retinoblastoma (a childhood cancer that affects the retina of the eye). Doctors have 

found that cryosurgery is most effective when the tumor is small and only in certain 

parts of the retina. 

• Early-stage skin cancers (both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas). 

• Precancerous skin growths known as actinic keratosis. 

• Precancerous conditions of the cervix known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 

 (abnormal cell changes in the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer). 

Cryosurgery is also used to treat some types of low-grade cancerous and noncancerous 

tumors of the bone. It may reduce the risk of joint damage when compared with more 

extensive surgery, and help lessen the need for amputation. The treatment is also used to 

treat AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma when the skin lesions are small and localized. 

Researchers are evaluating cryosurgery as a treatment for a number of cancers, including 

breast, colon, and kidney cancer. They are also exploring cryotherapy in combination 

with other cancer treatments, such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, 

or surgery. 

3. In what situations can cryosurgery be used to treat prostate cancer? What are the 

side effects? 

Cryosurgery can be used to treat men who have early-stage prostate cancer that is 

confined to the prostate gland. It is less well established than standard prostatectomy and 

various types of radiation therapy. Long-term outcomes are not known. Because it is 

effective only in small areas, cryosurgery is not used to treat prostate cancer that has 

spread outside the gland, or to distant parts of the body. 

Some advantages of cryosurgery are that the procedure can be repeated, and it can be 

used to treat men who cannot have surgery or radiation therapy because of their age or 

other medical problems. 

Cryosurgery for the prostate gland can cause side effects. These side effects may occur 

more often in men who have had radiation to the prostate. 

• Cryosurgery may obstruct urine flow or cause incontinence (lack of control over urine 

 flow); often, these side effects are temporary. 

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• Many men become impotent (loss of sexual function). 

• In some cases, the surgery has caused injury to the rectum. 

4. In what situations can cryosurgery be used to treat primary liver cancer or liver 

metastases (cancer that has spread to the liver from another part of the body)? 

What are the side effects? 

Cryosurgery may be used to treat primary liver cancer that has not spread. It is used 

especially if surgery is not possible due to factors such as other medical conditions. The 

treatment also may be used for cancer that has spread to the liver from another site (such 

as the colon or rectum). In some cases, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be 

given before or after cryosurgery. Cryosurgery in the liver may cause damage to the bile 

ducts and/or major blood vessels, which can lead to hemorrhage (heavy bleeding) or 

infection. 

5. Does cryosurgery have any complications or side effects? 

Cryosurgery does have side effects, although they may be less severe than those 

associated with surgery or radiation therapy. The effects depend on the location of the 

tumor. Cryosurgery for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has not been shown to affect a 

woman’s fertility, but it can cause cramping, pain, or bleeding. When used to treat skin 

cancer (including Kaposi sarcoma), cryosurgery may cause scarring and swelling; if 

nerves are damaged, loss of sensation may occur, and, rarely, it may cause a loss of 

pigmentation and loss of hair in the treated area. When used to treat tumors of the bone, 

cryosurgery may lead to the destruction of nearby bone tissue and result in fractures, but 

these effects may not be seen for some time after the initial treatment and can often be 

delayed with other treatments. In rare cases, cryosurgery may interact badly with certain 

types of chemotherapy. Although the side effects of surgery may be less severe than 

those associated with conventional surgery or radiation, more studies are needed to 

determine the long-term effects. 

6. What are the advantages of cryosurgery? 

Cryosurgery offers advantages over other methods of cancer treatment. It is less invasive 

than surgery, involving only a small incision or insertion of the cryoprobe through the 

skin. Consequently, pain, bleeding, and other complications of surgery are minimized. 

Cryosurgery is less expensive than other treatments and requires shorter recovery time 

and a shorter hospital stay, or no hospital stay at all. Sometimes cryosurgery can be done 

using only local anesthesia. 

Because physicians can focus cryosurgical treatment on a limited area, they can avoid the 

destruction of nearby healthy tissue. The treatment can be safely repeated and may be 

used along with standard treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, 

and radiation. Cryosurgery may offer an option for treating cancers that are considered 

inoperable or that do not respond to standard treatments. Furthermore, it can be used for 

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patients who are not good candidates for conventional surgery because of their age or 

other medical conditions. 

7. What are the disadvantages of cryosurgery? 

The major disadvantage of cryosurgery is the uncertainty surrounding its long-term 

effectiveness. While cryosurgery may be effective in treating tumors the physician can 

see by using imaging tests (tests that produce pictures of areas inside the body), it can 

miss microscopic cancer spread. Furthermore, because the effectiveness of the technique 

is still being assessed, insurance coverage issues may arise. 

8. What does the future hold for cryosurgery? 

 Additional studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of cryosurgery in controlling 

cancer and improving survival. Data from these studies will allow physicians to compare 

cryosurgery with standard treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and 

radiation. Moreover, physicians continue to examine the possibility of using cryosurgery 

in combination with other treatments. 

9. Where is cryosurgery currently available? 

Cryosurgery is widely available in gynecologists' offices for the treatment of cervical 

neoplasias. A limited number of hospitals and cancer centers throughout the country 

currently have skilled doctors and the necessary technology to perform cryosurgery for 

other noncancerous, precancerous, and cancerous conditions. Individuals can consult 

with their doctors or contact hospitals and cancer centers in their area to find out where 

cryosurgery is being used. 

# # # 

Related NCI materials and Web pages: 

• National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet 6.26, Bone Cancer: Questions and Answers

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Sites-Types/bone)

• Treatment Choices for Men With Early-Stage Prostate Cancer

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/prostate-cancer-treatment-choices) 

• What You Need To Know AboutTM Liver Cancer

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/liver) 

• What You Need To Know AboutTM Prostate Cancer

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/prostate) 

• What You Need To Know AboutTM Skin Cancer

(http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/skin) 

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For more help, contact: 

NCI’s Cancer Information Service 

Telephone (toll-free): 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237) 

TTY (toll-free): 1–800–332–8615

LiveHelp® online chat: https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp

This fact sheet was reviewed on 9/10/03 

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