thetalaslab on Instagram: "Australia has introduced its first MRI-guided cryoablation system at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s south-west, marking a revolutio…"
Australia has introduced its first MRI-guided cryoablation system at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney’s south-west, marking a revolutionary advancement in cancer treatment. This groundbreaking technology allows doctors to freeze and destroy tumors without traditional open surgery, eliminating the need for incisions, general anesthesia risks, and prolonged hospital stays.The procedure involves inserting a thin, gas-powered needle directly into the tumor while the patient lies inside an advanced MRI scanner. Real-time imaging provides exceptional precision, guiding the probe to the exact tumor location. Compressed gas, typically argon, flows through the needle and rapidly cools the tissue to approximately -180°C, forming an “ice ball” that encompasses and destroys cancerous cells by disrupting their structure and causing cell death.The MRI continuously monitors the freezing process, ensuring healthy surrounding tissue remains protected and the ablation zone is accurately controlled. This minimally invasive approach is particularly valuable for tumors in delicate or hard-to-reach areas such as the spine, liver, or kidneys, where conventional surgery might pose high risks or lead to significant pain and recovery challenges.Patients typically experience little to no discomfort during or after the treatment, which is usually performed under sedation. Many walk out the same day or the next, with significantly quicker recovery times compared to invasive operations. Early cases have included patients with painful spinal tumors who reported dramatic pain relief almost immediately, transforming their quality of life.While not a universal cure for all cancers, this technology represents a major shift toward precision, patient-friendly oncology in Australia, reducing complications and expanding treatment options for those unsuitable for surgery.👉 @thetalaslab