Cryoablation: A promising non-operative therapy for low-risk breast cancer

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of cryoablation for early-stage low-risk breast cancer without tumor resection.

Methods: Women diagnosed with ER+, PR+, and HER2-infiltrating ductal carcinomas ≤1.5 cm were treated with cryoablation. The non-surgical procedure used a Visica® 2 Treatment System with ultrasound guidance for ablation of the tumor with a 1 cm margin. Patients were monitored at 6-month intervals by MRI, mammogram, and ultrasound.

Results: Twelve patients with unifocal breast cancer were treated with cryoablation for local control without follow-up tumor resection. All patients received adjuvant endocrine therapy, and none had radiation. The median follow-up was 28.5 (range = 4-41) months with 11 patients having at least one six-month follow-up. All imaging modalities showed complete ablation of target zone 11/11 (100%). Four patients (33.3%) have been followed up for ≥ 2 years with no local failure or residual disease.

Conclusion: Cryoablation of early-stage low-risk (ER+, PR+, and HER2-) breast cancer is a safe alternative to surgery.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Cryoablation; ER(+)PR(+)HER2(-); Early-stage; Invasive ductal carcinoma.