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This MRI Can Destroy Cancer Without a Single Cut
In Sydney, doctors are using one of the most advanced cancer treatments on Earth — MRI-guided cryoablation.
Here’s how it works: a tiny probe is guided directly into the tumour using real-time MRI imaging, and the tumour is frozen solid from the inside out. No large cuts. No stitches. No long hospital stays. Patients walk in, watch the procedure under MRI, and walk out the same day — pain-free and scar-free.
This treatment is so precise, it… read more
Answer Summary
Members shared thoughtful perspectives on MRI-guided cryoablation for cancer, expressing both excitement about its potential and caution based... Read more
From what I have read, some places use it for breast cancer, others don't. But as far as I can tell it isn't covered by insurance.
'In the United States, a few cancer centers and doctors in private practice offer cryoablation for breast cancer.
The procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist, breast radiologist, or breast surgeon.
Depending on your individual situation, you might qualify for receiving cryoablation through a clinical trial.
Cryoablation can be a good alternative to traditional breast cancer treatments, but it’s not for everyone. If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer and are interested in cryoablation, talk with your doctors about whether the procedure makes sense for you.'
'Cryosurgical ablation is not covered as a treatment for benign or malignant tumors of the breast, pancreas, or bone and other solid tumors or metastases, outside the liver, prostate, or renal tumor as the evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes. MRI-guided cryoablation for breast cancer is generally not covered by insurance and is often considered experimental or investigational for malignant tumors. While it is a recognized treatment for benign breast tumors (fibroadenomas), its use for breast cancer is typically paid for out-of-pocket, unless performed as part of a clinical trial.'
I haven't found any current clinical trials.
(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12868015/)
https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/surgery/...
Back in 2019 I was diagnosed with endometrial and kidney cancer within about a 2 week time period. Apparently 90% of kidney tumors are cancerous so they typically don't biopsy them, they just remove them and do the lab tests after surgery is complete. The urologist I saw gave me the option of having surgery to remove the kidney tumor or having cryoablation to destroy the tumor. The downside to cryoablation was there would be nothing left to biopsy so we would never know anything about the cancerous characteristics of the kidney tumor. Since this was the 3rd different type of cancer I was being diagnosed with in a 2.5 year time span I opted for the surgery because I felt it was important to know what was going on with the kidney tumor. After surgery when the test results came back I lucked out that I was in the 10% that have a benign kidney tumor.
With breast cancer the cryoablation sounds like a great idea providing they're able to verify somehow that they managed to freeze to death anything that is cancerous, although I assume radiation would be needed to ensure any cancer cell stragglers were wiped out. With the breast it's so easy to do a biopsy so at least you know ahead of time some of the characteristics of your cancer, unlike a kidney cryoablation experience. It will be interesting to see what happens going forward with the cryoablation and if it becomes more mainstream and acceptable to the insurance companies.
Is MRI-guided cryoablation available for breast cancer treatment?
MRI-guided cryoablation sounds promising as a minimally invasive option. While MRI technology is commonly used in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment planning, the search results don't specifically mention cryoablation as a standard treatment option for Show Full Answer
Sometimes you don't really have much of a choice about getting a biopsy done as insurance can require it prior to approving surgery or other treatments.
I think the first time my endometrial cancer returned was the result of the robotic surgery when I had the hysterectomy along with tubes, ovary, and cervix removal. The new tumor showed up directly under the 1 inch incision from the surgery and I think cancer cells were shed in that area as the various parts of my reproductive system were removed via a small hole. I didn't want the robot surgery because there are lots of risks involved, but the surgeon talked me into it. If I could go back and do it again I'd have it done manually by the surgeon via a long abdominal incision to make it easier to lift out all the parts that were removed and hopefully reduce the risk of cancer cells being shed.
For me radiation has been the one thing that worked best to kill cancer cells. I do believe if you have radition shortly after your biopsy and surgery, if surgery is needed, it is your best bet to kill off all the cancer cells that may have been left behind in the area where cancer was found.
I really want to learn more about this and see if there might be clinical trials coming up. Although I did have a highly unusual MRI occurance some years back.MRI guided breast biopsies, Tech.s said you can sit up now , I did and it was like a bad cartoon. Blood sprayed out, No Drs or nurses, 2 techs put full body wt. compression and everytime they's stop I'd start hemorraging again. never called a dr. longer story but they sent me home (alone) and when I wokeup I was stuck to the sheet and had a hole at the biopsy site. Turns out they unknowingly hit an artery and it formed a loop of current , buring me from the inside out. Daily packing for weeks, it was a nightmare.The AI guided MRI experience is my only hesitation but this new procedure may end up being wonderful.
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