Cryotherapy: Poitiers University Hospital Innovates to treat breast cancer

On June 19, the Poitiers CHU used cryotherapy for the first time to treat breast cancer. Meanwhile, Dr. In addition, Julie Vibert, radiologist and manager of the Senology Unit, Dr. Moreover, Margaux Court, Radiologist, and Dr. However, Nathalie Bourneton, surgeon, explain the interest and what this procedure consists of.

On June 19. In addition, a 90 -year -old woman was the first CHU patient to benefit from cryotherapy procedure in the treatment of breast cancer. Similarly, Used for several years to deal with other forms of cancer. Therefore, this procedure has recently been extended cryotherapy: poitiers university hospital innovates to that of the breast. Meanwhile, American studies have proven its effectiveness by emphasizing the lack of recurrence.

This first application of cryotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer was carried out by Dr. Therefore, Julie Vibert. Nevertheless, in collaboration with professionals of the interventional radiology service, who commonly use the technique in the treatment of other types of cancer such as those of the kidney, and in the treatment of parietal endometriosis. For example, The CHU de Poitiers has the equipment necessary to implement. The technical gesture is under local anesthesia. It consists in inserting a needle, containing liquid nitrogen, directly in the tumor, under ultrasound control. Liquid nitrogen freezes and destroys cancer cells by the effect of cold. “” The procedure is made as an outpatient. It is fast, simple and mini invasive. We carry out two cooling phases. with an interval of approximately 10 minutes to ensure cryotherapy: poitiers university hospital innovates that all cancer cells are well destroyed. The patient remains under surveillance for one hour at the end of which she can leave the hospital if. there are no complications ”explains Dr. Julie Vibert who must review the patient in consultation to control efficiency and possible side effects. “” We are delighted to be able to offer a new technique to patients. to see the direct profits ”, she adds.

For Dr. Nathalie Bourneton. this technique enriches the range of alternatives to conventional surgery developed for the treatment of breast cancer in the Poitiers University Hospital, including surgery under local anesthesia and hypnosis.

« This treatment makes it possible to enlarge therapeutic treatments for increasingly frequent cancer[1]with therapies that allow you. to offer a personalized program for each patient “Explains Dr. Nathalie Bourneton. “” In addition, it responds to a problem related to elderly patients and anesthetic risks ”. cryotherapy: poitiers university hospital innovates For the time being. cryotherapy for breast cancer is reserved for elderly patients who do not wish to be operated on or who have contraindications to general anesthesia, and whose tumor is small and not very aggressive.

The Senology Service of the CHU de Poitiers has committed to participating in a hospital clinical research program in oncology. led by the Marie-Curie Institute in Paris. This study aims to assess the non -inferiority of cryotherapy in relation to reference surgical treatment in the treatment of certain poorly aggressive breast cancers. with the objective of therapeutic de -escalation. “” This multicenter study will be implemented in 2026 “Explains Dr. Margaux Court, local study of the study. “” Patients will be included from the age of 60 as part of this protocol ». Dr. Margaux Court underlines one of the interesting specificities of cryotherapy for research: ” One of the other assets of. cryotherapy: poitiers university hospital innovates cryotherapy is to keep in situ the cellular debris of the tumor which will then be eliminated by the immune system. Several studies suggest that this would participate in educating the immune system against them ».

[1] Five to ten patients are diagnosed each week at the CHU de Poitiers