Cryoablation for Lung Nodules in China: A Precise "Freeze-and-Kill" Treatment

For early-stage lung cancer, surgery is often the standard treatment.¹ However, it's not a suitable option for everyone, especially elderly patients or those with poor cardiopulmonary function. For these individuals, minimally invasive ablation therapies offer powerful alternatives. Among them, cryoablation—a technique that literally freezes tumors—is a shining star in treating lung nodules.

Dr. Han performs magnetic navigation–guided cryoablation for lung nodules

What is Cryoablation for Lung Nodules?

Tumor ablation is a minimally invasive technique where a specialized probe is inserted directly into a tumor under image guidance (like a CT scan). The goal is to destroy the tumor cells in place using physical or chemical means, preserving as much healthy lung tissue as possible.

Cryoablation is a specific type of ablation that uses extreme cold. It works based on a principle called the Joule–Thomson effect:

• Freezing Phase: High-pressure argon gas is passed through a tiny channel in the cryoprobe tip. As the gas expands, it rapidly absorbs heat, causing the probe's temperature to plummet to –140 °C or lower. This forms a precisely controlled "ice ball" that engulfs the lung nodule.

  
  

• Thawing Phase: High-pressure helium gas is then used to quickly raise the temperature (to 20–40 °C), thawing the tissue.

• Lethal Cycles: This freeze-thaw cycle is typically repeated 2-3 times to ensure complete tumor destruction.

  
  

Cryoablation probe forming an ice ball

The "lethal strike" of this deep freeze works in several ways: sharp ice crystals tear apart cancer cells, severe dehydration causes them to collapse, and the blood supply to the tumor is cut off.

Key Advantages of Cryoablation in the Lung

Compared to surgery or heat-based ablation methods (like radiofrequency or microwave ablation), cryoablation offers several unique advantages:

• Less Pain: The extreme cold acts as a natural anesthetic, meaning patients experience significantly less pain during and after the procedure.

  
  

• Clear Visualization: The ice ball is clearly visible on CT scans, allowing the physician to monitor the ablation zone in real time. This ensures the entire tumor is destroyed with a safe margin, while protecting healthy tissue.

“Ice ball” covering the lung nodule after cryoablation

• Protects Delicate Structures: Cryoablation is gentler on collagen structures. This makes it a safer choice for tumors located near major blood vessels, airways, or the chest wall, reducing the risk of complications.

  
  

• Potential Immune Boost: The body’s immune system cleans up the dead tumor cells. It's believed that this process can release tumor antigens, potentially stimulating a wider anti-tumor immune response from the patient's own body.

  
  

Accessing Advanced Cryoablation: The China Advantage

This advanced, minimally invasive technology is a key reason why patients explore medical tourism in China. Leading hospitals in major Chinese cities are equipped with state-of-the-art cryoablation systems and are staffed by interventional radiologists with extensive experience in treating lung nodules.

For international patients, choosing China offers a combination of:

• Cutting-Edge Technology: Access to the latest generation of cryoprobes and imaging equipment.

• Expertise and Volume: Physicians who perform these procedures regularly, leading to refined skills and better outcomes.

• Integrated Care: Comprehensive evaluation by multidisciplinary teams to ensure cryoablation is the right choice for you.

At MedBridge NZ, we connect patients with these centers of excellence, facilitating access to world-class cancer treatments like cryoablation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is a good candidate for lung nodule cryoablation?

Ideal candidates include patients with early-stage lung cancer who cannot tolerate or refuse surgery, those with a limited number of lung metastases from another cancer, or individuals with a local recurrence after previous treatment. A full evaluation by a multidisciplinary team is essential.

Is cryoablation a cure for lung cancer?

For small, early-stage tumors, cryoablation can be a curative treatment, achieving complete local control. For more advanced or metastatic disease, it serves as a highly effective local therapy to control specific nodules and alleviate symptoms.

What are the risks?

Cryoablation is very safe, but potential risks include pneumothorax (collapsed lung), bleeding, and infection. These are uncommon when the procedure is performed by an experienced team.

How is cryoablation different from radiation (radiotherapy)?

Cryoablation is a physical, one-time procedure that destroys the tumor immediately.13 Radiotherapy uses high-energy rays over multiple sessions to damage cancer cells' DNA.14 The choice between them depends on the tumor's size, location, and the patient's overall health.

A Powerful Tool for Respiratory Health

With ongoing innovation, lung nodule cryoablation is becoming more precise and effective. As a vital complement to surgery and other treatments, this "ice blade" offers more patients a chance at a cure or effective local control, significantly improving their quality of life.

To learn more about how we provide access to advanced, image-guided ablation and other minimally invasive therapies for lung nodules in China, please visit our Services page or contact us today.

Attribution (Author & Institution):

This article was composed by Dr. Han Dingpei (韩丁培), Associate Chief Physician and Lecturer, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.

References

Original Chinese title (translated): “Cryoablation for Lung Nodules: Precise ‘Freeze-and-Kill’ Micro-Innovative Technique”