The CryoProbe® may sound scary, but it actually just looks like an oversized pen. Your doctor can use this device for many applications – from precisely removing skin imperfections to performing internal surgery and removing cancerous tumors.
A CryoProbe delivers cryotherapy via liquid nitrogen to treat many kinds of lesions on and around the body. Its prefix is taken from the Greek word kryos, which means cold.
What Is the CryoProbe?
Cryotherapy treatment uses extremely cold liquid nitrogen to remove age spots, skin tags, and many types of diseased tissue – including cancer cells. Tumors on the inside of the body can also be removed: Tumors in the kidneys, breasts, liver, bones, and lungs have all been removed successfully with the CryoProbe.
In 1983, CryoProbe inventor Dr. Percy Amoils used the instrument to successfully treat and cure British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s detached retina. The doctor/inventor was awarded the United Kingdom’s most prestigious award when he received the Queen’s Award in 1975; he also later received the Medal of Honor of the United States Academy of Applied Science.
How Does the CryoProbe Work?
Cryotherapy is a versatile treatment option for various conditions. A doctor can use topical cryotherapy to remove skin lesions around the eye or for other conditions affecting the skin’s surface.
CryoProbe was first used for treating conditions around the eyes, but it is now also used on a much wider basis in general medicine. Plus, it can be used on people of virtually all ages.
The device comes with interchangeable applicator tips in various sizes in order to ensure that the probe can reach and be directed to tiny areas and large areas alike, based on what needs to be treated.
Preparing for a Cryotherapy Procedure
The doctor will advise you regarding how to prepare for your cryotherapy treatment. You may be advised to stop taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and blood thinners prior to the surgical procedure.
Depending on the condition being treated, you may or may not be required to stay in a medical facility overnight. Cryotherapy that treats the skin’s surface will likely be an outpatient procedure.
For treatments affecting the skin, you may be advised to take an over-the-counter pain medication 30 minutes before the procedure. This will assist in relieving discomfort following the procedure, though discomfort can be expected to be minimal.
Common Reasons for CryoProbe Treatments
A few common reasons for treatment include:
- Cancer of the retina, especially in children with retinoblastomas
- Skin tumors
- Freckles
- Skin tags
- Moles
- Tumors
Some of the more serious reasons for cryotherapy include cancers of the prostate, cervix, and liver.
Medical Clinic in South Carolina
SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation has an in-house outpatient surgery center along with a full-service diagnostic lab for our patients’ convenience.
We are here to diagnose and treat your condition, and we can take you through the next level of care.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment by calling (803) 749-1111, or fill out our online appointment request form here. We look forward to partnering with you for a lifetime of good health.
