Cryoablation safe for treating small breast cancers in older women

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Wednesday, December 3 | 9:50 a.m.-10:00 a.m. | W3-SSBR08-3 | Room S406A 

In this session, attendees will find out how ultrasound-guided cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment option for elderly women with small, low-risk breast cancer.

The locoregional recurrence rate of cryoablation in the study is similar to that of lumpectomy, and these women have positive outcomes, according to results to be presented by Janice Thai, MD, from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. 

Thai and colleagues suggested that cryoablation has benefits for elderly women seeking treatment, including being a minimally invasive procedure, offering a greater quality of life, and having better cosmetic outcomes with cost savings. 

The study included 82 women aged 70 to 94, with cryoablation procedures taking place between 2017 and 2024. These procedures included either argon gas- or liquid nitrogen-based cryoablation systems with only local anesthesia. The study focused on small breast tumors (≤ 1.5 cm) with a low histologic grade. 

The researchers reported an average imaging follow-up duration of 36 months, with three locoregional recurrences at the site of the procedure (3.7%). The recurrences were detected on imaging at 12, 12, and 24 months, respectively, and confirmed by biopsy and subsequent surgical resection.  

Among other findings, three women were treated with whole breast radiation, and 38 had adjuvant endocrine therapy with an average duration of 48 months. Finally, the team reported no procedure-related complications. 

Attend this session to find out more about cryoablation’s benefits.

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