Podcast: Download
CW Hall and Dr. April Speed
Cryotherapy for Early Stage Breast Cancer
On this week’s episode I sat down with award-winning Atlanta-area breast surgeon, Dr. April Speed regarding treatment options for breast cancers, including cryotherapy. She shared what motivated her to enter the medical field as her chosen profession and how she is pleased to have brought her expertise in treating cancers of the breast to a community that has limited access to cancer care.
Dr. Speed discussed the process through which she determines best course of action for treating a worrisome lump of the breast, be that a lumpectomy (removing the lump but leaving the healthy breast tissue), mastectomy (removing the affected breast), or a minimally-invasive approach.
Given the short recovery time of the minimally-invasive option, it is desirable when the tumor type and size fall within established guidelines. In many cases, patients are able to return to work the same day and typically results in less pain for them. One such procedure is the Visica 2 Procedure, made by Sanarus. (Visica 2 is the Treatment system, the Visica Procedure is the procedure.)
This technology allows the breast surgeon to use a small, super-cooled probe that is guided to the abnormal tissue within the breast by imagery. The probe is below freezing, and is used to freeze the cancerous tissue, destroying it. Over time, once the procedure is complete, the destroyed tissue is slowly reabsorbed.
I was pleased to talk about this with Dr. Speed, as she is one of fewer than 10 breast surgeons in the state of Georgia who are able to perform this minimally-invasive, early stage breast cancer treatment.
About Sanarus/the Visica Procedure – In 2001, the Visica® Treatment System was the first system available for cryoablation of fibroadenomas. Since then, our systems have been used to successfully treat thousands of patients. Since 2007, the Visica 2 Treatment System has been used to treat cancer in hundreds of cryoablation-assisted surgeries and dozens of cryoablation-only procedures in clinical trials.
Disclaimer: The Visica 2 Treatment system is FDA-cleared for the ablation of cancerous or malignant tissue and benign tumors. It’s been used in over 5,000 cryo-assisted surgeries and cryo-only procedures.
Special Guest:
Dr. April Speed, MD, Global Breast Health & Wellness Center; Just Breast, LLC
- Doctor of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine
- Residency, MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Board of Directors, Susan G. Komen for the Cure
- Board of Directors, Southeastern Primary Care Consortium
6 comments on “Cryotherapy for Early Stage Breast Cancer”
What an interesting segment, especially in light of the current debate surrounding over-treatment of early stage breast cancer. This is a treatment option women need to know about. Good work!
Thank you for listening and taking time to comment, Lisa!
Very interesting! This is an amazing therapy that can help so many.
Thank you for listening and taking time to comment, Jen!
A refreshing commentary on the current approaches for breast tumor treatment — specifically cryoablation as a viable option for early stage breast cancer. Gone are the days of a “one size fits all” approach to breast care.
Thank you for listening and taking time to comment, Karen!