In contrast to radiation and surgery, a relatively new procedure could help “melt” breast cancer, and take less time.
“The first thing that happens is the needle goes right through the cancer,” Dr. Luz Venta, the medical director at Houston Methodist Breast Care Center, said. “Then the ice ball forms and we see this ice ball growing under ultrasound guidance or MRI guidance.
But with technological advancements and better understanding, she can now use the cold to help fight certain breast cancers. A study published in 2016 explains exactly how effective it can be in certain types of cancers, and more research is being done.And this procedure has given some hope to women with few options.
So 86-year-old Helen Streaker was told to take a pill. “I remember taking the Arimidex and just laying in bed looking at the ceiling or looking at the windows. I mean too sick to even read a book,” she said. That was in 2016. Just last month, Streaker was diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time. She had another round of cryoablation, this time with Dr. Venta and the team at Houston Methodist.