Cryosurgery Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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cryosurgery
[kraษชoสหsษrdสษri ]
Definition
medical procedure
Cryosurgery is a medical procedure that involves the use of extreme cold to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue. This technique is commonly used to treat various skin conditions, tumors, and precancerous lesions. The cold is typically produced using liquid nitrogen or argon gas, which is applied directly to the affected area. This procedure minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and often has a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery. It is considered to be a less invasive option.
Synonyms
cryotherapy, frozen treatment.
Examples of usage
- The doctor recommended cryosurgery for the skin lesions.
- Cryosurgery can effectively treat certain types of cancer.
- Patients often prefer cryosurgery due to its minimal recovery time.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Medical Applications
- Used to treat skin conditions like warts, moles, and skin tags by freezing off unwanted tissue.
- Also employed in cancer treatment, particularly for tumors in the prostate or liver, as freezing can destroy cancer cells.
Advantages
- Minimally invasive compared to traditional surgery, often requiring only local anesthesia.
- Patients usually experience shorter recovery times and less pain following treatment.
Technology
- Modern cryosurgery employs advanced equipment like liquid nitrogen to achieve extremely low temperatures quickly.
- Innovations have expanded its use beyond skin, including internal organs and certain types of tumors.
History
- While cryotherapy has historical reference for pain relief, cryosurgery as practiced today began making significant advances in the late 20th century.
- The development of cryosurgery was influenced by early explorations of the effects of extreme cold on tissue in animals.
Origin of 'cryosurgery'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from Greek, where 'cryo' means cold and 'surgery' refers to a medical operation.
- First used in the 1960s, the method has roots in various cold-related therapies dating back much further.
The term 'cryosurgery' is derived from the prefix 'cryo-' which comes from the Greek word 'kryos' meaning 'cold' or 'frost'. The practice of using cold to treat medical conditions dates back to ancient times, but the specific medical technique known as cryosurgery began to be developed in the 20th century. Advances in technology and an understanding of how extreme cold affects living tissue led to the refinement of cryosurgical techniques. It has grown in popularity due to its effectiveness and less invasive nature compared to traditional surgical methods, finding applications in dermatology, oncology, and gynecology among other fields. Today, cryosurgery is a recognized and widely accepted treatment option for various conditions.