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Ablation of soft tissue tumor
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Primary tumors of the soft tissues can be aggressive. An innovative cryogenic technique offers patients a good and effective solution with many advantages.
Primary tumors of the soft tissues are not metastases from an initial tumor, located in another location, but tumors that developed initially in the soft tissue (muscle/connective tissue).
Of the primary tumors in soft tissue, particular attention should be paid to “desmoid” tumor that can appear in soft tissue anywhere in the body. This is a local aggressive tumor which can grow to large volume and cause local damage. That is: This is not a cancerous tumor that sends metastases to the rest of the body - but rather a tumor that creates local problems and damage. Therefore, it is important to treat it.
In the past, what were the options for treating tumors of this type before using the method of cryogenic ablation? Until recently, this type of tumor was a major problem for the medical staff that treated it. The standard treatment until about five years ago was surgery. This is an operation during which the tumor was extensively resected with wide margins and sometimes with damage to adjacent structures near the tumor: muscles, tendons, bones, etc.
Following the publication of studies from various sources around the world, it became evident that after the extensive surgeries - which cause a great deal of suffering to the patient and a long and difficult rehabilitation - there is a 60% chance of recurrence.
In light of these data, performing an operation which takes the patient through a complex process with a great chance of recurrence requires further thought. Thus, doctors began to offer chemotherapy or radiation therapy (with all the known side effects that these treatments entail) - or not to provide any treatment, just follow-up. All this, until the method of cryogenic ablation of soft tissue tumors was developed.
What is the method of cryogenic ablation of soft tissue tumors? How is the cryogenic ablation performed? The method of cryogenic ablation of soft tissue tumors is percutaneous, meaning, through the skin. This is a minimally invasive treatment method, which is performed by inserting needles into the tumor.
The needles perform process called “cryogenic ablation”. This technique uses freezing.
Can the ablation be performed again, in cases where the results are unsatisfactory or when the tumor should be reduced further? The current protocol for soft tissue tumors ablation determines one procedure.. However, in cases where the tumor is somewhat reduced and there is a need to reduce it again, the procedure can be performed again without consequences. This is one of the advantages of using a minimally invasive procedure that is non-traumatic for the body and does not require extensive exposure or prolonged rehabilitation.
What are the risks of soft tissue tumors ablation? As with any ablation procedure, the main risk is burns. In this case, of course, we speak of cryogenic burn. However the likelihood of this event is very low.
Are there special preparations that the patient must perform before the procedure or instructions he must follow during recovery? One of the great advantages of this method is that there is no need for special preparations and rehabilitation process. The procedure is performed under general sedation. In most cases, the patient is discharged home the next day, without the need for long rehabilitation or prolonged adjustment. Thus, the patient returns to his normal life in a short time. Even before performing the procedure, beyond preliminary tests and imagings, special preparations are not necessary.
Does the method of soft tissue tumors ablation completely replace the other treatment methods - surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy? The awareness to percutaneous soft tissue tumors ablation in Israel is not high enough. The method is now used only in Ichilov and in Assuta hospitals. Not enough doctors are exposed to this method. The higher the awareness to the method is, the more patients will be able to benefit from it. This is especially important given the disadvantages of the other treatment methods: Complicated extensive surgeries involve long and painful rehabilitation; The success rates of these surgeries are not high enough. Regarding chemotherapy and radiotherapy, these treatments involve significant side effects.
Conclusion: Soft tissue tumors (mainly desmoid) can be treated not only by surgery or other aggressive treatments (chemotherapy or radiotherapy). The surgery involves prolonged rehabilitation. Its relative success rates are not high. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy involve severe side effects. In contrast, the percutaneous soft tissue tumors ablation is a safe method, which does not damage adjacent structures, treats only and specifically the tumor itself, and its results are very promising.
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