Effectiveness & Testimonials
Cryoablation has shown promising results in treating early-stage, hormone-sensitive breast cancers. The procedure involves using extreme cold to freeze and destroy cancerous tissues, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional surgeries like lumpectomy or mastectomy.
Cryoablation Improves Patient Satisfaction
Effective & Safe
Cancer control equal to lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer
Physical Well-being
Less pain or tightness and less difficulty with mobility, such as lifting arms.
Sexual Well-being
Greater feelings of sexual attractiveness, sexual confidence, and comfort level during sex
Satisfaction with Breasts
Greater happiness about breast size, how bras fit, and appearance in the mirror clothed or unclothed, as well as how the breasts feel to the touch.
Clinical Effectiveness of Cryoablation
Studies have highlighted the following key findings:
- Efficacy for Small Tumors: Cryoablation is most effective for tumors 2 cm or smaller. The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group (ACOSOG) Z1072 trial reported a 100% success rate for tumors less than 1 cm and a 92% success rate for tumors up to 2 cm.
- Long-Term Success: A Japanese clinical trial involving 304 women with stage I invasive ductal carcinomas reported a 0.98% local recurrence rate over six years, demonstrating the long-term effectiveness of cryoablation when combined with anti-estrogen medications and radiation therapy.
- In April 2024, the 5-year follow-up results of the ICE3 trial were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons in Orlando, Florida. The ICE3 trial is multicenter, single-arm, non-randomized clinical trial that evaluated the role of cryoablation as an alternative to surgery. The trial enrolled 194 women years of age (median 75 years) with unifocal, clinical stage I, histologic grade 1 or 2, estrogen receptor positive, progesterone receptor positive, HER2/neu negative invasive ductal carcinoma diagnosed by minimally invasive biopsy. The use of anti-estrogen therapy, radiation therapy, and sentinel node biopsy were not mandated by the trial. As such, nearly 80% of ICE3 trial participants utilized endocrine therapy but only 14% received adjuvant radiation therapy and only 8% of participants underwent a sentinel node biopsy. At 5 years of follow-up, there were 7 recurrences of cancer in the same breast yielding a local recurrence free survival rate of 96.7%, which is comparable to lumpectomy clinical trials in women over 60 years of age where radiation therapy was omitted. The 5-year results will be published soon.
Cryoablation also offers theoretical benefits in stimulating an anti-cancer immune response, although this effect is not yet fully proven in humans. Proteins released from cryoablated tumors may help the immune system recognize and attack remaining cancer cells, potentially providing additional protection against recurrence.
Quick, Minimally Invasive, and Highly Effective.
Effectiveness in killing targeted cancer cells.
Average duration of the cryoablation procedure.
Typical recovery time before resuming normal activites.
Local recurrence rate in patients over a 6-year folow-up.
Real Stories from Dr. Holmes’ Patients
Dr Holmes was very personable and listened to my needs as well as informed me of my options. I will be referring my friends to him.
Barbara H.
Patient
After a poor experience with another doctor, I was fortunate to find Dr. Holmes and Alba. I was fortunate to have them as part of my BC Care Team. They have made this experience bearable and they took care of me. Alba was patient and sweet. She was communicative and made sure I understood everything before ending our call(s) and/ or leaving after my appointment(s). Dr. Holmes was straightforward while being attentive; his answers were clear and understandable instead of just throwing medical terms (which some doctors have a tendency to). Once I was diagnosed on September 25, 2019, it was a smooth and quick process. Dr. Holmes performed the lumpectomy on October 11, 2019 and my surgery was a success. Would I go through the terrible experience with the first doctor again if I knew I'll connect with Dr. Holmes? Absolutely. Again. And. Again. Dr. Holmes & Alba, thank you from the bottom of my heart. For trusting me to know more about my body, being thorough, and just being awesome!
Heidi C.
Patient
After finding Dr. Holmes I was most anxious to have the cryoablation procedure done on the three cancerous tumors in my left breast. I had been doing self treatment for over seven years while being monitored by an oncologist who did scans and blood work several times a year. Feeling that I had been led to Dr. Holmes, I contacted him and sent to him seven years of reports and DVDs. After review, he said that he could do the procedure. I was elated because I really felt that this was the right course of action for me. We flew to LA and Dr. Holmes did the procedure on July 17th; I flew home on the 18th, and my recovery went very well. I am still monitored by my local oncologist and will have more scans in January and then needle biopsies next July, as Dr. Holmes recommended. His knowledge, demeanor, and skill were impressive and I felt that I was in very good hands having him perform the cryoablation. I am so glad I found Dr. Holmes.
Vickie M.
Patient
Dr. Holmes is a rare find. Such a knowledgeable, experienced and skillful practitioner yet he remains kind and accommodating towards his patients. He answered every question I had and put me at ease during cryoablation of a residual tumor. Being the principal investigator of the FROST clinical study made me even more confident in Dr. Holmes' expertise. I am happy and grateful to have found Dr. Holmes, a true authority in breast cryoablation!
Joyce L.
Patient
I had cryoablation done in October to remove two questionable nodules from my left breast. Dr. Holmes was very pleasant to work with me regarding my situation. The procedure was not painful nor was the recovery period. It has been 3 months since I had the nodules removed. Dr. Holmes said there would be a lump in the treated area. The lump is going down. I am relieved knowing that that my breast is healing well.
Ada F.
Patient
Since the day we walked into Dr. Holmes office, my mother and I always felt welcome. Dr. Holmes explains everything to us and he listens to our concerns. His staff our always great.
Rachel D.
Patient
Dr. Holmes is a superb physician and a very kind, and compassionate human being. He truly cares about the physical as well as, the emotional well being of his patients. His graciousness and patience is a virtue. Dr. Holmes has a stupendous disposition and a phenomenal bedside manner. He makes himself available to answer all of your questions and he responds to all of your e-mails. Dr. Holmes genuinely cares about his patients.
Shelley T.
Patient
We referred to Dr. Holmes for a second opinion on my wife's breast cancer diagnosis. He was brilliant and very compassionate. He met us on a Saturday morning because he was so busy and then he went out of his way to help us secure a test that our insurance wouldn't approve and our first Oncologist didn't even tell us about, called the Mamma Print test, a genetic test that analyses whether or not chemo would have any efficacy for my wife's type of Breast Cancer. The test came back negative and ended up keeping my wife from having to go through six months of the worst chemo out there called Adrimiason (otherwise known as the Red Devil). I'm not overstating it when I say, his care was life changing for us.
Rich K.
Spouse of Patient
Every I could want from a breast surgeon and more. Patient, informative, gentle, thorough.
Margaret S.
Patient
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