Cryotherapy offers an alternate possibility in the treatment of cancer when complete surgical excision of a tumor is not possible, or in providing palliation for patients with incurable cancers, Andrew A. Gage, MD, told the Section on Experimental Medicine.
Reporting with Fred G. Emmings, DDS, on 2 1/2 years experience with liquid nitrogen probes at Buffalo Veterans Administration Hospital, Dr. Gage outlined these results:
Carcinoma of the skin—11 patients treated, no recurrence noted to date. The cases included basal cell carcinoma which destroyed an ear and invaded neck tissues before partial excision and freezing, and a squamous cell carcinoma invading from external ear canal which irradiation failed to control before conservative excision and cryotherapy.
Oral cavity—
25 malignant tumor patients; cryotherapy used for palliation in four with some success, used with intent to cure in 21, but failed to control in three "who had more extensive disease than was appreciated