Cryoablation has been shown in small studies to be an effective treatment for some early stage breast cancers, but data is very limited and this technology is not currently considered standard of care. 

The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) has just initiated a National Cancer Institute funded clinical trial entitled "A Phase II Trial Exploring the Success of Cryoablation Therapy in the Treatment of Invasive Breast Carcinoma".  This trial should answer questions regarding the safety and efficacy of cryoablation in the treatment of breast cancer, and in addition will determine the effectiveness of MRI performed after cryoablation in assessing residual disease.

Women with invasive ductal carcinoma, visible on ultrasound and no larger than 2 centimeters in maximum dimension will be eligible for the study. All women will undergo cryoablation followed by standard treatment, including lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy, and postoperative radiation therapy. An MRI will be performed before and after cryoablation. In addition, a blood sample will be taken before, during and after cryoablation. There is some preliminary data that treating a breast cancer by cryoablation may result in an enhanced immune response - more study is needed to assess this potentially groundbreaking aspect of breast cancer treatment, and evaluating blood samples is an important part of this trial.

Nationally, approxmiately 99 women will be enrolled in this study. In affiliation with the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, ours is the only facility in the Los Angeles area offering this exciting trial. Please contact my office for more information.