Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extremely low temperatures to destroy abnormal tissues in a controlled way. It involves applying liquid nitrogen or refrigerant gases to freeze and remove unwanted cells, allowing gradual recovery of the treated area.
In urology and andrology, it is used for both benign and premalignant lesions as well as more advanced procedures in urologic oncology.
What is it used for?
Cryotherapy is a versatile technique used in various urological conditions, including:
Treatment of skin and genital lesions
- Removal of genital warts caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
- Treatment of benign lesions such as sebaceous cysts or fibromas on the penis and scrotum.
- Ablation of precancerous or suspicious lesions on genital skin.
Main benefits
- Minimally invasive procedure → Most cases do not require incisions.
- Rapid recovery → Patients can return to normal activity quickly.
- Alternative to conventional surgery → For superficial lesions and localized tumors, avoids extensive surgical resection.
- Low risk of complications → Compared to traditional surgeries, cryotherapy carries less risk of bleeding and infections.
- Option for high-risk patients → In oncology, it is an alternative for those unable to undergo surgery or radiotherapy.
Special considerations
- Temporary side effects → May cause inflammation or skin pigmentation changes in dermatologic treatments.
- Not always the first choice → Aggressive or advanced tumors may require combination with other treatments.