Abstract
Purpose This study aims to evaluate the impact of cryoablation on patients with desmoid tumors,
considering both pain and functional impairment. Cryoablation has emerged as a promising
intervention, primarily recognized for its ability to reduce radiological evidence
of the neoplasm. However, the focus of this research is on assessing the clinical
outcomes, recognizing the importance of improving patient-reported symptoms as additional
evidence is required in this area to strengthen previous findings.
Methods A retrospective study of 18 patients treated with cryoablation for desmoid tumors
were included in this study. The evaluation of clinical status involved structured
interviews to capture changes in pain and functional impairment. Pain scores and functional
impairment scores were recorded on a 10-point Likert scale before and after the treatment.
The correlation between these clinical findings and imaging was a key aspect of the
investigation.
Results Following cryoablation treatment, the average pain scores exhibited a notable decrease
of 4.75 points on the 10-point Likert scale. Similarly, functional impairment scores
demonstrated a significant average decrease of 4.0 points. Additionally, there was
an overall decrease in viable tumor volume after ablation, correlating with the above
findings.
Conclusion This study provides evidence that cryoablation is effective in achieving clinically
significant improvement in patients with desmoid tumors. While the reduction in radiological
evidence is recognized, the emphasis of this study was on patient-reported outcomes,
particularly in pain and functional impairment. These findings underscore that cryoablation
is a valuable intervention in the comprehensive management of desmoid tumors improving
overall quality of life.
Keywords
desmoid tumors - cryoablation
