Skip to Content
UW Health SMPH
Join Our UW Health Community

Radiology

Cryoblation

Contact Information
 
(608) 263-XRAY
 
(608) 263-9729
 
 
Health Information
 
UW Health radiology department uses cryoblation to freeze and destroy tumors.
 
What is Cryoblation?
 
Cryoblation destroys cells with extremely cold temperatures. Radiologists use an image-guided cyroprobe inserted into the skin to locate tumors and direct a small ball of ice that freezes and destroys them.
 
Depending on the tumor and the types of tissue, the range of temperature used in cryoblation falls between -20 degrees Centigrade and -50 degress Centigrade.
 
Advantages
  • Cryoblation allows for the use multiple probes simultaneously
  • The freezing process is nearly painless
  • Ice formation is easily monitored with ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
  • The pattern of tissue destruction is predictable
  • Very few complications