An Israeli company, IceCube Medical, was successful in "freezing" breast cancer tumors.

According to The Media Line, the Israeli med-tech company IceCure Medical reported "very promising" results earlier in clinical trials of its breast cancer treatment innovation. Their invention relies on a liquid nitrogen technology that freezes breast cancer tumors as well as destroys abnormal tissue. 

Israeli Company Successfully ‘Freezes’ Breast Cancer Tumors

(Photo : National Cancer Institute/Unsplash)
Israeli Company Successfully ‘Freezes’ Breast Cancer Tumors Woman Receives Mammogram. An Asian female technician positions an African-American woman at an imaging machine to receive a mammogram. Creator: Rhoda Baer

The company is near completing the preliminary clinical trial in hospitals across the United States, where it already treated hundreds of women. 

The new treatment is available in Oregon

As we celebrate breast cancer awareness month, the new treatment for the disease has been available in Oregon. Cryoablation is a relatively new treatment for breast cancer. KPTV Fox12 reported that the healthcare system, Legacy Health, first offered the treatment. 

What's impressive with the technique is that it is non-surgical and only involves extreme cold. Breast cancer treatment involves a thin, hollow needle that injects nitrogen into a tumor to freeze it from the inside out. The cancer cells will eventually die, and the immune system will take it from there. 

Fox 12 was able to talk with a Legacy Health patient who was one of the first in Oregon to receive the treatment. According to Elizabeth Estes, she was identified as a candidate based on her type of breast cancer and her stage. 

Estes urges to spread the details about the procedure so others would know an alternative to open surgery. "For me, it did not have to have my breasts disfigured, it was keeping them whole, and the Cryoablation that freezes the tumors helps your immune system," she said.

Meanwhile, Legacy Health doctor who pushed to make Cryoablation available in Oregon talked to Fox 12. Dr.Cynthia Aks says she was eager about the treatment due to its potential immune effect, 

Aks said that when the cancer cells are disrupted, fragments will be released of their tumor that would stimulate the immune system. She added that it is likely a kind of an auto vaccine concept. The patient is then primed if they will develop similar types of tumors again. 

The procedure is painless, takes less than a half-hour, and doesn't need stitches, as per the health officials. About a year ago, Estes received a treatment. Her screenings are all clear, and Estes says she is feeling healthy and happy. 

Importance of early detection

Early detection of breast cancer could increase the survival rate of a patient, according to studies. The signs and symptoms of breast cancer are crucial to be checked. 

As per NDTV, symptoms may include pain in the breast, a lump in the breast, swelling in areas near the breast, discharge from nipple other than breast milk, swelling underarm, and change in the shape of the nipple. In some cases, the given symptoms may not be the sign of their breast cancer. However, any of the signs should be reported to the doctor immediately. 

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