Andong Hospital performs first lung cancer cryoablation in Daegu-Gyeongbuk

Andong Hospital has successfully performed cryoablation for lung cancer, marking the first time this procedure has been conducted in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions of South Korea. The procedure was recently carried out on a patient in their 70s.

Unlike traditional surgical methods that require large incisions, cryoablation is a non-surgical approach. Using 3D imaging to precisely locate the tumor, specialized thin needles are inserted through the skin to deliver extreme cold, freezing and destroying the cancer cells. This method aims to minimize physical burden and pain compared to high-frequency or microwave ablation, which use heat.

This technology is expected to provide a vital alternative for elderly patients or those with underlying conditions who may not be suitable for major surgery. The hospital noted that the ability to use extreme cold allows for more precise treatment even when tumors are located near critical organs like the heart or aorta. The hospital plans to expand this interventional treatment capability to other types of cancer, including liver and kidney cancer.