From the Guidelines
Cryotherapy is a recommended treatment for skin cancer, particularly for squamous cell carcinoma in situ, with high cure rates achievable using liquid nitrogen and a single freeze-thaw cycle of 30 seconds or two cycles of 20 seconds with a thaw period. The procedure involves applying liquid nitrogen to the cancerous tissue, freezing it to temperatures between -25°C and -50°C, which destroys cancer cells by forming ice crystals within them, disrupting cell membranes, and cutting off blood supply to the tumor 1.
When using cryotherapy to treat skin cancer, it is essential to use adequate cryotherapy, such as liquid nitrogen cryotherapy, to achieve high clearance rates and minimize failure rates, which can be as low as 5-10% in larger series 1. The treatment can cause discomfort and may lead to ulceration, especially on the lower leg, but it is a simple, inexpensive, and quick method that can be performed in an outpatient setting.
Some key points to consider when using cryotherapy for skin cancer treatment include:
- Using a single freeze-thaw cycle of 30 seconds or two cycles of 20 seconds with a thaw period
- Spacing multiple treatment sessions 2-4 weeks apart for complete removal
- Monitoring for potential side effects, such as redness, swelling, blistering, and scabbing at the treatment site
- Considering the size and location of the treated area, as these can impact the healing time, which typically ranges from 2-6 weeks.
Overall, cryotherapy is an effective treatment option for certain types of skin cancer, offering a quick, relatively painless, and minimally scarring alternative to surgical options, with high cure rates achievable when used appropriately 1.
From the Research
Cryotherapy for Skin Cancer
Cryotherapy is a treatment method that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or damaged cells, including skin cancer cells. The process involves applying liquid nitrogen to the affected area, which freezes the cells and ultimately leads to their death.
How Cryotherapy Works
- Cryotherapy works by physically destroying cell membranes after exposure to subzero temperatures, leading to cellular destruction 2.
- The open spray technique is a common method used in cryotherapy, where a handheld spray device is used to apply liquid nitrogen to the affected area 2.
- The temperature of the tissue during cryotherapy can reach as low as -50 degrees to -60 degrees C, which is sufficient to destroy cancer cells 3.
Effectiveness of Cryotherapy
- Cryotherapy has been shown to be effective in treating nonmelanotic skin cancers, with a 30-year cure rate of 98.6% 3.
- A 5-year cure rate of 99.0% has been reported for cryotherapy treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas 3.
- Cryotherapy has also been effective in treating actinic keratoses, with significant improvements in atypia of keratinocytes, epithelial thickness, and corneal layer 4.