A breakthrough treatment called cryoablation is now making it possible for women with fibroadenomas, benign but troublesome breast tumors, to destroy the tumors without surgery.

Cryoablation freezes and destroys targeted tissue using extreme cold, which is applied through a needle guided by ultrasound. Because the procedure requires such a small incision, it requires only local anesthesia and is virtually painless. It can be performed in the physician's office in 30 minutes and requires no stitches

This is very good news for the thousands of women with fibroadenomas, the most common form of benign breast tumors, which are caused by an overgrowth of fibrous and glandular tissue in the breast. Fibroadenomas can cause pain, anxiety and disfigurement. And yet, until recently, many physicians suggested their patients "watch and wait," since the only effective alternative was surgery.

Traditional breast surgery requires patients to undergo general anesthesia, a skin incision, stitches and two to three days of recovery. Patients often experienced soreness, swelling, bruising and scarring. And, if additional fibroadenomas developed later, requiring subsequent surgeries, the multiple breast scars can be troubling to the patient and challenging for those evaluating patient mammograms.

Due to the drawbacks of surgery, some patients were electing to forgo treatment of their fibroadenomas. Now they have a painless alternative.

Cryoablation is currently available from surgical oncologist Lisa Guirguis, MD, at the Sutter Cancer Center. For more information, contact (916) 454-6900.