Condition
Cryosurgery
David Cohen, M.D.Published 4 February 20051 min read
Key points
- Cryosurgery is a method of super-freezing tissue in order to destroy it.
- The cold is introduced through a probe which has liquid nitrogen circulating through it.
- The technique is used to treat cancerous tumors, control pain, control bleeding, and reduce brain tumors.
- To destroy diseased tissue, the tissue is cooled to below -20 degrees Celsius.
Alternative names
Cryotherapy
Definition
Cryosurgery is a method of super-freezing tissue in order to destroy it. The technique is used to treat cancerous tumors, control pain, control bleeding, and reduce brain tumors.
Information
The cold is introduced through a probe which has liquid nitrogen circulating through it. To destroy diseased tissue, the tissue is cooled to below -20 degrees Celsius. Other procedures that control pain or bleeding are cooled to a lesser degree to prevent tissue damage.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
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