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Liquid nitrogen application yields successful results in carefully selected patients for the treatment of malignant bone tumors. This treatment protocol aims to improve patients' quality of life and prevent limb loss.
The treatment process typically begins with pre-operative chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy, to control the tumor tissue and any potential circulating cancer cells in the body. This neoadjuvant therapy facilitates surgical resection by reducing tumor size and ensures systemic control of the cancer.
Subsequently, the malignant bone and surrounding soft tissue tumor are carefully removed during a surgical operation. The excised bone is cleared of cancerous tissues and simultaneously sent for pathological examination to assess the efficacy of the pre-operative treatment.
The tumor-free bone is frozen by immersing it in liquid nitrogen for approximately 20 minutes. This deep-freezing process ensures the destruction of all cancer cells within the bone. Afterwards, to allow the bone to thaw, it is kept in a dry environment for 20 minutes, followed by 30 minutes in physiological saline. Through this process, the bone becomes completely necrotic (lifeless).
This complex surgical intervention should be performed by orthopedic oncologists specialized in bone tumors and surgeons experienced in microsurgery, employing a multidisciplinary approach. To restore the skeletal integrity and vitality of the necrosed bone, a vascularized bone graft, harvested from the patient's own body, is micro-surgically placed into the lifeless bone. Meticulous suturing of small vessels at this stage is critically important for the successful integration of the graft.
In the post-operative period, the devitalized bone regains its blood supply and, over time, its functional and structural integrity thanks to the implanted live bone tissue.
How is liquid nitrogen surgery performed for malignant bone tumors?
The treatment process typically begins with pre-operative chemotherapy, and sometimes radiotherapy, to control the tumor tissue and any potential circulating cancer cells in the body. This neoadjuvant therapy facilitates surgical resection by reducing tumor size and ensures systemic control of the cancer.
Subsequently, the malignant bone and surrounding soft tissue tumor are carefully removed during a surgical operation. The excised bone is cleared of cancerous tissues and simultaneously sent for pathological examination to assess the efficacy of the pre-operative treatment.
The tumor-free bone is frozen by immersing it in liquid nitrogen for approximately 20 minutes. This deep-freezing process ensures the destruction of all cancer cells within the bone. Afterwards, to allow the bone to thaw, it is kept in a dry environment for 20 minutes, followed by 30 minutes in physiological saline. Through this process, the bone becomes completely necrotic (lifeless).
This complex surgical intervention should be performed by orthopedic oncologists specialized in bone tumors and surgeons experienced in microsurgery, employing a multidisciplinary approach. To restore the skeletal integrity and vitality of the necrosed bone, a vascularized bone graft, harvested from the patient's own body, is micro-surgically placed into the lifeless bone. Meticulous suturing of small vessels at this stage is critically important for the successful integration of the graft.
In the post-operative period, the devitalized bone regains its blood supply and, over time, its functional and structural integrity thanks to the implanted live bone tissue.