CRYOTHERAPY
Safe, efficient and effective.
At Kelowna Skin Cancer Clinic, we strive to provide our patients with the most current and effective advancements in cryotherapy science. For appropriately selected lesions, the success of this liquid nitrogen treatment can range from 96-98%.
What is cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy is a method of managing and treating benign, premalignant, or malignant skin cancers. It involves applying liquid nitrogen on skin. The liquid nitrogen treatment lowers the skin’s temperature drastically to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue.
Cryotherapy is a potential treatment for these types of skin cancer:
- Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma in situ (Bowen’s Disease)
- Actinic Keratosis (Pre-Cancers)
How cryotherapy works.
The Equipment
We use the spray method which is the most commonly used equipment for cryotherapy treatment of skin cancers. The spray method is a 32 oz Dewar filled with liquid nitrogen. The handheld spray has proven to be most successful in skin cancers 3-5 mm in depth.
Active Monitoring
Accurate assessment is paramount in cryotherapy treatment and stages of healing. An ice halo will be present around the frozen tumour, and the lateral freeze corresponds with the depth of the freeze. We will ensure your recovery is monitored, successful, and safe.
Our Techniques
With our professional analysis and your consent, smaller lesions are typically treated using a centralized spray, or a spiral spray beginning from the point of the lesion and spiraling out. There will be a 5 mm halo sprayed for cancerous lesions, or a 2 mm halo for precancerous lesions.
Larger lesions are treated with a paint brush method, passing back and forth over the lesion. The average spray time for a 3 mm lesion is one minute.
The benefits of cryotherapy.
Cryotherapy is a viable and reliable option for skin cancer treatment. It is among the most effective ways to treat cancerous and precancerous skin lesions. We use the most up-to-date methods of analysis, treatment and recovery, as we help you comfortably navigate this challenging time.
Explore more treatment options.
At Kelowna Skin Cancer Clinic we offer patients a variety of treatment options. The appropriate treatment will depend on a number of factors. We’ll provide personalized advice to determine the right treatment for you.