Frequently Asked Questions

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DOCTORS CURRENTLY USING CRYOABLATION TO TREAT BREAST CANCER

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

DR. PETER LITTRUP

(Dr. Littrup is the doctor who treated Laura using cryoablation and co-wrote the book “They’re Mine and I’m Keeping Them” with Laura and Alex Paul. Dr. Littrup was the pioneer in offering cryoablation for breast cancer treatment in the United States.)
Call 248-652-5286 and ask for Central Scheduling. Tell them you want a breast cancer cryoablation consultation with Crittenton Radiology. They will call back within 2-3 days.  A report concerning your case will be written up and shown to Dr. Littrup. He will evaluate your case and determine if he can be of help to you. His nurse will then call you and relate his decision as to his ability to treat you.   They will tell you how to proceed from there. 

DR. HUSSEIN AOUN

(Please note that we are not sure if Dr. Aoun performs breast cancer cryoablation as it is not listed as a service he provides. However if you are in the Detroit area it is worth a call, otherwise you can contact Dr. Littrup at Crittenton.)
https://www.karmanos.org/physicians/Hussein-Aoun?SearchString=aoun&PageIndex=0&SortDirection=1Aoun
Karmanos Hospital
https://www.karmanos.org/home
Barb Adams is contact at radiation line
313-576-8042 

LOS ANGELES, CA

Dennis R. Holmes, MD

1595 Wilson Terrace
Suite 150
Glendale, CA 91206
Contact: 818-539-1985
Website: https://www.drholmesmd.com 
Website: https://www.cryoablation.com

WHITE SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

DR. BELINDA BARCLAY

JCL – Breast Health and Research Center
8896 E. Becker Ln, Suite 101
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Contact : 480 314 7600
Website: https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-belinda-barclay-white-yqyp2 

MIAMI, FLORIDA

DR. MICHAEL PLAZA

Diagnostic Center for Women, Miami, FL
7500 SW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33173
Contact: 305-740-7500
Website: http://dxforwomen.com/team-members/dr-michael-plaza/

 

DR. MICHAEL PLAZA

http://dxforwomen.com/team-members/dr-michael-plaza/
7500 SW 87th Avenue, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33173
305.740.5100 Main Office
Nurse to speak to is Crista
305-740-7500 

NAPLES, FLORIDA

DR. SHARLA PATTERSON

Center for Breast Health
11181 Health Park Blvd
Suite 222
Naples, FL
239-624-8120 

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

DR. KAREN WONDERLICK
DR. KAMILLA KOZONSKI
DR. GEORGE WEBBER
Knoxville Comprehensive Breast Center
https://www.knoxvillebreastcenter.com/
1400 Dowell Springs Blvd. Suite 400
Knoxville, TN
865-584-0291 

CINCINNATI, OHIO

Dr. Lydia Hernandez

Cincinnati Breast Surgeon Center
https://cintibreastsurgeons.com/
(513) 221-2544 

CHINA

FUDA HOSPITAL, GUAGZHOU, CHINA
consultation4@fudahospital.com
Rita Lu

FAQ

Does cryoablation kill cancer?

Cryoablation has been proven to kill many cancers in the body including breast, liver, prostate kidney and lung tissue. Cryoablation for killing cancer tissue was approved by the FDA in 1999. Research by Dr. Peter Littrup has proven that multi-probe and double freeze thaw cycles are the most efficient way of killing tumors.

Is there much pain following cryoablation for breast cancer?

There is typically very little pain following the procedure. This is because the freezing process itself numbs the area treated by destroying the nerve endings. Most patients find that over the counter pain pills are all that is needed, and then only for a few days.

Will my breast change shape or size following breast cancer cryoablation?

Initally the breast might be slightly swollen due to the possible need to inject saline solution between the skin and the breast tissue if the cancer is close to the skin surface. If the tumor is not close to the skin then this is not the case and little swelling occurs post op. Many women have actually noticed that once the dead tissue has been cleared away inside the breast by the immune system, the body grows new, “nubile” tissue which is firmer, much like teenage breast tissue.

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The information and materials contained on this website are for informational purposes only. It should not be relied upon as medical advice. The purpose of this website is to provide information about cryoablation. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

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What companies make the equipment needed for treating breast cancer with cryoablation?

There are three companies that currently make equipment used in cryoablation for breasts.
Sanarus makes a cryoablation unit that is a single probe machine that is currently confined to the cryoablation of fibrotic cysts. They are currently engaged in clinical trials to prove the efficacy of their machine in treating breast cancer. They have a license to treat breasts from Endocare. Endocare also makes machines that are multi-probe which are used in treating prostate cancer. Some practitioners currently use the Endocare machine for breast cancer cryhoablation as they prefer the ability to control the freeze zone better with multiple probes. www.sanarus.com

Icecure offers a liquid nitrogen system called IceSense. They currently focus on fibroadenoma treatment and are also engaged in clinical trials for breast cancer cryoablation. www.icecure-medical.com

Cryomedix is a startup company that has worked on bringing a newer technology, partly invented by Dr. Littrup, for breast cancer treatment. Their initial plan is to offer a single probe machine with high capacity freezing capability followed by a dual probe machine later. Their equipment should be available in clinics across the US by 2014. The subsidiary company that will offer this treatment is to be called CryoFem.
cryomedix.com

How many women have been treated worldwide using cryoablation for breast cancer?

Hundreds of women have been treated in the United States during research into cryoablation by first freezing the tumor and then having a mastectomy several weeks after to determine that the cancer has been killed. Women can now receive cryoablation outside of a clinical trial setting and retain their breast. The authors estimate that approximately 50 women have received cryoablation for breast cancer without follow up mastectomy in the USA and possibly upwards of 200 to 1,000 women have been treated. Please note this is a rough estimate based on published data on the internet.

What is the recovery period after a cryoablation procedure for breast cancer?

General anesthesia is not required for a cryoablation procedure because the freezing eliminates any sensation of pain. Therefore only a local anesthetic is required at the sites where the probes enter the breast through the skin. A patient is fully conscious throughout the procedure, so the recovery period is very quick. Cryoablation can be done in a clinical setting and doesn’t require an operating room. Many patients have received treatment and afterwards only needed Tylenol for pain relief. They are able to eat and sleep normally and often fly home the day after treatment.

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