Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery, or cryoablation, is a medical procedure that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. It achieves tissue destruction by applying freezing temperatures to the target area, using agents such as liquid nitrogen, liquid-nitrogen vapor, or argon-based systems. Freezing causes intracellular ice formation, disruption of cell membranes, and vascular stasis, leading to cell death. Often one or more freeze-thaw cycles are applied to increase tissue destruction. The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis, frequently with local anesthesia, and the treated area may develop a blister, crust, or temporary pigment change during healing.

Cryosurgery is used in dermatology for actinic keratoses, some basal cell carcinomas, Bowen disease, warts, and other benign or precancerous lesions. It is also employed for select tumors and abnormal tissues in other specialties, and can be used as primary treatment or as adjuvant therapy to shrink lesions or facilitate surgical margins. In some contexts, cryosurgery is referred to as cryoablation.

Techniques vary by device and application. Clinicians may use probe-based cryosurgery, spray devices, or closed-loop systems to control the depth and extent of freezing. Local anesthesia is common, and patients should expect swelling, redness, blistering, temporary numbness, or pigment changes. Rare but serious risks include frostbite, nerve injury, infection, scarring, and unintended damage to surrounding tissue. Not all lesions are suitable for cryosurgery; contraindications include cold-sensitive conditions and active infection at the treatment site, as well as lesions with uncertain margins or deep invasion.