Sequelae of cryotherapy in breast tissue

Cryotherapy is a novel treatment for benign and malignant breast lesions that is under evaluation. We assessed the acute and subacute outcomes of breast cryotherapy in normal goat teats using physical, microscopic, and imaging modalities. Eight goats were subjected to two freeze–thaw cycles of breast tissue producing a 2 cm iceball and sacrificed either 2 or 7 weeks later. Acute skin changes were minimal unless obvious tissue injury occurred during cryotherapy; however, depigmentation developed over several weeks in dark-skinned goats despite the presence of melanocytes. By histology, breast epithelial elements could not be identified at cryotherapy sites. There was no cystic degeneration, which is common at surgical excision sites. Neither calcifications nor prominent scarring could be attributed to cryotherapy on imaging studies after 2 or 7 weeks. When compared to standard breast surgery, the sequelae of cryotherapy using histologic, radiographic, and sonographic criteria were decreased. Our study suggests that cryotherapy, with technical modifications, is feasible within breast tissue and warrants further study.