Ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer ineligible for or refused surgery: a single-center experience.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer in patients ineligible for or who refused surgery.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

In this retrospective study, women with breast cancer who were ineligible for or refused surgery underwent ultrasound-guided cryoablation and adjuvant therapy, as appropriate, from April 2020 to April 2023 and were included. The primary evaluation criterion was tumor progression assessed by mRECIST on both contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Pain assessment using visual analog scale, complications, and cosmetic satisfaction were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Seventeen patients receiving successful cryoablation were included in the study, and 16 received adjuvant endocrine therapy. The mean age was 70 ± 9 years. The median tumor diameter was 1.79 cm (interquartile range, 0.91-3.30 cm). During a mean follow-up period of 27.8 months (range, 12-36 months), the complete response rate was 100 %. Mild pain was indicated in 17.6 % (3/17) of patients using the visual analog scale. No severe procedure-related complications were reported, and cosmetic satisfaction reached 100 %.

CONCLUSION

According to the results of the current study, ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer is a safe and feasible treatment in women who are ineligible for or refuse surgery.