Safety and Efficacy of Cryoablation for Breast Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sunday, April 12, 2026

4:12 PM - 4:21 PM ET

Location: 716B

Presenting Author(s)

Jiaqi Chen

Medical Student
Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

FZ

Feng Yi Zhou, BS, MS

Master Student
Columbia University, United States
JS

Jefferson Sun, BS

Medical Student
Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, United States
TP

Tyler Paul, BS

Medical Student
Rosalind Franklin University, Chicago Medical School, United States
CY

Clark Yu, MD

Physician
University of Chicago, United States

Purpose: Cryoablation is an emerging minimally invasive technique in interventional radiology that destroys abnormal tissues by freezing1. It is widely used to treat both malignant and benign breast tumors, but its long-term safety and efficacy relative to surgery remain uncertain.

Materials and Methods: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of cryoablation through systematic review and meta-analysis. Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases in September 2024 and identified 24 studies comprising 2,481 patients, including 1,573 with breast cancers and 908 with benign breast tumors. Study characteristics, adverse events, local recurrence, distant recurrence, and adjuvant therapy use were extracted. Data was analyzed using a random-effects model to estimate pooled proportions in R (v4.4.1).

Results: The patient age ranged from 13 to 96 years (mean 62 years). Adverse effects were reported in 11 studies (266/791 patients, 33.6%) and included erythema, bruising, frostbite, ecchymoses, induration, focal pain, infection and nipple retraction. Among these, 88.7% were mild and self-resolving, 9.8% were moderate and required treatment, and 1.5% were classified as serious, necessitating extensive interventions such as lumpectomy. Across 16 studies involving 1,117 patients with breast cancer, the pooled local tumor recurrence rate was 8% (95% CI, 4–15%; I² = 87%). Pooled distant recurrence based on six studies with 360 patients was 4% (95% CI, 1–11%; I² = 62%). Use of adjuvant therapies was common, particularly endocrine therapy (45%) and radiation (33%). Other adjuvant therapies include chemotherapy and immunotherapy,

Conclusion: These findings suggest cryoablation is a safe and effective modality for selected patients with breast tumors, demonstrating low rates of serious adverse events and acceptable oncologic outcomes, especially with adjuvant therapy. Heterogeneity across studies highlights the importance of tumor selection, adjuvant regimens, and study design in determining outcomes. Further investigations are warranted to optimize patient selection and outcome.