Patient Satisfaction Following Cryoablation of Benign Breast Tumors at 92%, Study

Main Category: Breast Cancer
Article Date: 21 Jan 2005 - 9:00 PDT


Data Published in the Journal The Breast Shows Cryoablation to be an Excellent Non-Surgical Option for Treatment of Benign Breast Tumors -

Sanarus Inc, a developer of minimally invasive diagnostic and treatment tools for breast disease, announced today twelve-month follow-up data from a peer-reviewed, prospective multinational study demonstrated that cryoablation is an excellent minimally invasive treatment option for eradicating benign breast tumors. The study, published in the October 2004 edition of the journal The Breast, showed that 12 months after cryoablation with an improved cryoablation protocol the average volume reduction of the 68 benign tumors treated was 91 %. Also, of the tumors less than 2.5 cm in diameter, 84 % were not palpable at 12 months.

It is estimated that 1.4 to 1.6 million women undergo breast biopsy in the United States. Eighty percent of the biopsies result in the diagnosis of benign disease. Traditionally, the only definitive treatment available for women has been surgical excision of the benign tumor, which is done under general anesthesia and can result in significant scarring.

The Visica(TM) Treatment System makes possible an in-office procedure that uses advanced cryoablation technology to destroy benign tumors. Cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment in which a slender probe is introduced into the breast through a 3 mm incision. The probe tip cools to sub-zero temperatures, thereby freezing the benign tumor and causing cell death. Ice is a natural anesthetic that allows cryoablation to be performed under local anesthesia in the comfort and convenience of a physician's office. Cryoablation removes the inherent risks of surgery including scarring or dimpling of the breast.

Dr. Maira Caleffi from the Clinica de Mastologia, Porto Alegre, Brazil led the study which included 10 centers in the United States. She said, "Ultrasound-guided cryoablation is an excellent treatment for benign breast tumors in women who wish to avoid surgery but nonetheless want their tumor treated. Local anesthesia, treatment in the doctor's office, a low complication rate, and quick recovery make this treatment approach particularly attractive and cost effective." She continued, "Patient satisfaction with cryoablation treatment for benign breast tumors is very high, 92 % of patients treated utilizing the recommended parameters in the study reported good to excellent satisfaction at 12 months."

Dr. Susan Love is an internationally-renowned breast surgeon and president of the Dr Susan Love MD Research Foundation. Dr. Love said the new clinical data further validates cryoablation as a preferred treatment of choice for women diagnosed with benign breast tumors. "Young women who are the ones, who commonly experience benign tumors, will find this a particularly appealing option." said Dr. Love.

About Sanarus Medical, Inc.

Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, Sanarus Medical is committed to developing innovative products for minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of breast disease, utilizing its proprietary cryoablation technology. Privately held, Sanarus Medical is funded by leading healthcare venture capital investors. To request reprints of this multinational study or information regarding the Cassi Rotational Core Biopsy Device or the Visica(TM) Treatment System for fibroadenomas, please email info@sanarus.com.
Sanarus Inc.

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