Ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer ineligible for or refused surgery: a single-center experience.

[AIM] To evaluate the safety and feasibility of ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer in patients ineligible for or who refused surgery.

[MATERIALS AND METHODS] In this retrospective study, women with breast cancer who were ineligible for or refused surgery underwent ultrasound-guided cryoablation and adjuvant therapy, as appropriate, from April 2020 to April 2023 and were included. The primary evaluation criterion was tumor progression assessed by mRECIST on both contrast-enhanced ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Pain assessment using visual analog scale, complications, and cosmetic satisfaction were also evaluated.

[RESULTS] Seventeen patients receiving successful cryoablation were included in the study, and 16 received adjuvant endocrine therapy. The mean age was 70 ± 9 years. The median tumor diameter was 1.79 cm (interquartile range, 0.91-3.30 cm). During a mean follow-up period of 27.8 months (range, 12-36 months), the complete response rate was 100 %. Mild pain was indicated in 17.6 % (3/17) of patients using the visual analog scale. No severe procedure-related complications were reported, and cosmetic satisfaction reached 100 %.

[CONCLUSION] According to the results of the current study, ultrasound-guided cryoablation for breast cancer is a safe and feasible treatment in women who are ineligible for or refuse surgery.