Cryosurgery is being evaluated in the treatment of a number of cancers, including prostate cancer and cancer that affects the liver (both primary liver cancer and cancer that has spread to the liver from another site). Researchers also are studying its effectiveness as a treatment for some tumors of the bone, for brain and spinal tumors, and for tumors in the windpipe that may develop with non-small cell lung cancer. In addition, some researchers are using cryosurgery in combination with other cancer treatments such as radiation, surgery, and hormone therapy. While initial results of cryosurgical treatment are encouraging, researchers have not yet drawn any solid conclusions regarding its long-term effectiveness.

For certain types of cancer and precancerous conditions, however, cryosurgery has proven to be an effective therapy. It has traditionally been used to treat retinoblastoma (a childhood cancer that affects the retina of the eye) and early-stage skin cancers (both basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas). Precancerous skin growths known as actinic keratosis and the precancerous condition cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (abnormal cell changes in the cervix that can develop into cervical cancer) also can be treated with cryosurgery.

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