The Evolving Role of Cryosurgery in Breast Cancer Management: A Comprehensive Review

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of death among women, primarily due to the development of deadly metastases in 25–50% of patients, resulting in an unfavorable prognosis. Consequently, there is growing interest in exploring innovative therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes and enhance the quality of life for breast cancer patients. One such approach that shows promise is the application of ultra-low cryogenic temperatures through cryosurgery. This review aims to critically examine the current understanding and state-of-the-art practices of cryosurgery as a treatment for breast cancer, while also addressing the challenges and prospects associated with this approach. By conducting a comprehensive literature review, this paper intends to provide an updated and comprehensive perspective on the topic. ABSTRACT: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed type of cancer, accounting for approximately one in eight cancer diagnoses worldwide. In 2020, there were approximately 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer globally, resulting in around 685,000 deaths. Consequently, there is an ongoing need to develop innovative therapeutic approaches that can improve both clinical outcomes and patient quality of life. The use of ultra-low cryogenic temperatures, facilitated by cryogenic media such as liquid nitrogen, has revolutionized the biomedical field and opened up new possibilities for advanced clinical treatments, including cryosurgery. Cryosurgery has demonstrated its feasibility as a minimally invasive technique for destroying breast tumors and eliciting a significant antitumor immune response in the host. This feature sets cryosurgery apart from other ablative techniques. It has been shown to be well tolerated and effective, offering several advantages such as simplicity, the avoidance of general anesthesia, minimal pain, low morbidity, short recovery time, cost-effectiveness, and notably, improved aesthetic outcomes. The reviewed studies indicate that cryosurgery holds promise in the management of early-stage breast cancer and metastatic disease, especially in triple-negative and Her2-positive molecular subtypes in conjunction with checkpoint inhibitors and anti-Her2 antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, the effectiveness of cryosurgery in the management of ductal carcinoma in situ should be investigated as an alternative modality to surgery or surveillance. The minimally invasive nature of cryosurgery has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of life for patients.