Increased number of oncologic diseases is one of the sad signs of our time. Feeling of doom and hopelessness fill the life of a patient, his (her) relatives with a black speck, and only light of hope warms the hearts whilst doctor has a reserve of medical methods and medicinal products.

But even one of radical methods — oncotomy of hepatic neoplasms — manages to be done, according to various authors, in 6-25% of cases, and in pancreatic diseases in 23-45%.

..serious problem of inoperable oncological patients can solve CRYOSURGERY only

So, in main population of patients radical treatment is impracticable due to neglect tumour, age, concomitant diseases, etc.

For technical supporting of this method, cryoequipment is necessary which meets requirements for effective treatment. We carried out hundreds of experimental researches at different temperature levels with various regimens of freezing, exposure and warming up. As a result, the unique method only can solve serious problem of inoperable oncologic patients. Authors do not make bold to affirm that this problem is solved, but we have the right to speak that there is a way fir its solution and, in many cases, successful. This way is CRYOSURGERY. Procedures for clinical application of “CRYO-PULSE” unit are developed. The unit has high cooling capacity and “holds” minimum temperature (minus 180°С) in contact with biological tissue. Deep freezing is the important factor ensured tumour destruction, especially tumours of considerable sizes.

Cryodestruction of primary and metastatic neoplasms of liver is the only possibly way when tumour invaded to large main vessels and is on the border of two hepatic lobes. In such cases primary tumours are not eliminated, and because of the rapid progress of metastases such operations are considered inexpedient.

But we made surgery on excision of primary tumour and cryodestruction of metastasises in liver.

Cryodestruction of tumoral growth zone is also carried out in pancreatic neoplasms, especially when the lesion of the head of organ is accompanied by mechanical jaundice, i.e. high hyperbilirubinemia, or tumour invasion into large blood vessels when pancreatoduodenal resection is impossible, as well as distal resection (in tumours of the body and the tail of pancreas). If necessary, cryodestruction is made in combination with one of biliary-enteric anastomoses.

Now cryotherapy is performed in patients with hepatic hemangioma exceeding the bounds of one hepatic lobe. Such disease is asymptomatic and can be diagnosed in neglected cases.

During complex surgical treatment of patients with chronic pancreatitis we also widely use method of low-temperature destruction.

SERGEY ALEKSANDROVICH SHALIMOV
Doctor of Medicine, Professor
Director of Ukrainian Research Institute of Oncology of АМS

ALEKSANDR ALEKSANDROVICH LITVINENKO
Doctor of Medicine, Professor The Head of Department for General Oncology
and Reconstructive Surgery of Mammary Gland of
Ukrainian Research Institute of Oncology of АМS