Cancer research results and successful cases of Cryoablation

Cryoablation for Cancer reaseach base on 8000 cases in,reported in 5th Int Forum on Cancer treatment Guangzhou, China Jul 2 2016,edited by Dr,Kecheng Xu.

Why do we use cryoablation?

Tumor ablation is more important to aim at Prolong survival period and improve quality of life.

Cancer is a chronic disease which can be controlled.Ablation is one of the most effective means to control progressive parenchyma tumor.

Cryosurgery is a novel technique for treatment of cancer which has been approved by the United States~ Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 and China~s SFDA in 1999.Fuda Cancer Hospital-Guangzhou has used the technique since 2000. To date, Fuda has the greatest amount of experience in this minimally invasive operation; often Fuda trains doctors from around the world on the cryosurgery technique. And number of cryosurgery cases has nearly topped 8,000 cases with a variety of malignant tumors (more than 34 different kinds of cancers).  At the same time, Combined the new idea of " 3C+P" (Cryoablation, Combined immunotherapy,  Cancer mincrosphere intervention, Personalized therapy) treatment model has been successful to apply to treat  a variety of cancers too, 

In the latest edition of NCCN guidelines, cryoablation has been recommended for unresectable cancers.  For example: 

Cryoablation is an local regional therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

cryo-therapy is a preferred local treatment modality  in Surgical therapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Ablation techniques can be considered when   Colon cancer have been metastases

Use of cryoablation in Fuda

1.“Radical” eradication of “small” cancer

2.“Debulky” for unresectable tumors

3.Freezing-assisted operation 

1.To alleviate pain caused by tumor

8000 patients treated by cryoablation in Fuda

Two types of cryosurgical equipment designed to use in Fuda 

Percutaneous cryoablation under CT or US

No.1  “Radical” eradication

Those patients who cannot undergo operation due to weak condition or co-morbidity, and those who refuse to receive operation, percutaneous cryoablation is to achieve great efficacy for cancer and even get cancer cured.

Unresectable, metastases on operation, no response on chemo/radio and recurrent advanced cancer

            

Laureate of Rank Prize Ms.Lu from Britain with Advanced Liver Cancer survive after Nanoknife

On March 24, 2016, Ms. Lu Mingying, a renowned scientist and Rank Prize laureate was discharged from hospital after receiving comprehensive treatment at Fuda Cancer Hospital for two months. One day before discharge, she put on her scarf and, to express her joy and appreciation, she said good-bye to doctors and nurses who had been taking care of her express “It is the doctors at FUDA that have saved me from the verge of death.” 

     Xu Kecheng, Chief President of Fuda Cancer Hospital and Ms. Lu Mingying

                   Ms. Lu Mingying and nurses of the 4th ward

One week before her discharge, we visited her. During the interview, she worn the same red scarf. “This is a present from a friend of mine cause wearing red makes me look more radiant.” She felt much betteras she just stooped her oral chemotherapy medicine on that day. She shared with us her experience of studying in UK, her Rank Prize winning stories and her journey of fighting against cancer. 

The influence of her father

Lu Mingying was born in a scholarly family in 1954. Her father Lu Zhongzuo, the founder of vacuum electronic devices major in China, had long engaged in the research of microwave tube and wrote the first batch of textbooks and monographs on microwave electronics in China. “Being raised in such an environment, I developed a keen interest in mathematics, physics and optoelectronics since I was a little child.”she said. Unfortunately, she had to suspend her schooling as the Great Cultural Revolution broke out when she was just enrolled into middle school.Two years later, she resumed her schooling in a nearby middle school. In 1970, Lu Mingying, who just turned to 16, was assigned to a small factory and worked there for seven years.

Lu Mingqi, Lu Ming’s elder sister, noted, “Before the college entrance examination system was resumed in China, my sister had never quit learning. She worked during the day and studied at night”. It was with her persistence that she made her way into the Department of Electronic Engineering of Nanjing Institute of Technology (currently Southeast University) in 1977.

                 Lu Mingying (R) and her elder sister Lu Mingqi

In university, Lu Mingying met her life partner - Wang Guoyu, her classmate. In her memory, they spent most of time doing research in the lab instead of going dating. Upon graduation from university, Lu Mingying was accepted into the postgraduate program of Southeast University while Wang Guoyu was accepted into the postgraduate program of Tsinghua University. They got married after finished their master degree. In 1984, they had their fist child. Later, Lu Mingying served as a lecturer in Southeast University while her husband also chose to work as lecturer in the same university.

Studying in England

In the end of 1980s, digital camera was very expensive and it cost thousands of dollars to buy one. The main reason was that the imaging sensor of digital camera was very costly. Even researchers in Japan, Europe and America were not able to tackle the difficult problem.

Wang Guoyu and Lu Mingying, who were then studied in the University of Edinburgh, were enrolled into an experimental group in 1987 and 1989 respectively. They joined two professors of the University of Edinburgh with a clear purpose, that was to develop new imaging sensors. They put forward a bold proposal, which was whether common semiconductor integrated circuit can be applied to imaging sensor as it can greatly reduce the cost of imaging sensor.

After years of unremitting efforts, they successfully applied common semiconductor integrated circuit into imaging sensor. The technological innovation has brought about great changes. The cost of imaging sensor reduced by one third; imaging sensor can be mass produced; the price of digital camera fell from several thousands dollars to around 10 USD. In 2002, the technology began to be applied to Nokia mobile phones and widely has been applied to 
mobile phones since then. Mobile phone photographing has become an easy thing. It has turned from a luxury to popular consumable goods. “The 50million chips for mobile phone photographing produced every day are using our technology.” Lu Mingying said proudly. 

A surprising award

The application of common semiconductor integrated circuit in imaging sensors is an epoch-making shift in the industry of digital camera. The four researchers including Lu Mingying were awarded the Rank Prize in 2008.

Established in 1972, the Rank Prize is one of the top science awards in England in recognition of researchers who have made tremendous contribution to the fields of optoelectronic science and nutriology. It is reputed as the Nobel Prize in the fields of optoelectronic science and nutriology. As of now, only a few Chinese, including Charles Kao, the Father of Fiber Optic Communications and Yuan Longping, the Father of Hybrid Rice, have won the Rank Prize. 

“It’s really surprising”, Lu Mingying said when she delivered her acceptance speech. It turned out that in March 2007, Lu Mingying received a letter, asking if she would like to participate in the selection of the Rank Prize. “The scientific research achievement was made over 10 years ago. We almost forget about it.” The couple felt that it must be someone who was playing tricks with them so they did not pay any attention to it. Shortly after that, Lu Mingying received a letter from her previous supervisor, asking if she had received an invitation letter for the selection of the Rank Prize. It was until then did the couplerealized that it was not a trick.

”I was so surprised and excited”, said Lu Mingying. They had invested so much time and efforts in order to overcome the technical difficulty. It was really a surprise for them to finally get the recognition after over 10 years. 

Facing up to the devil of cancer

In December, 2015, Lu Mingying started to feeling unwell and often had lower abdomen pain. She had thought it was just urinary system infection and took a lot of antibiotics but the symptoms showed no remission. In December, she come to China for an academic conference. Her husband insisted that she should do a  physical examination. Ultrasound result showed that there was a tumor sizing 7x8cm in liver. The doctor said that she was at advanced stage and an immediate CT scan was suggested. Further examinations proved that she was suffering from cholangiocarcinoma with metastases in bones, lymph nodes and abdominal cavity.

“It was the first time I’ve heard of this term and I had no idea what it is exactly. I searched on the Internet and learned that cholangiocarcinoma cannot be easily treated.” In the face of the unexpected disease, Lu Mingying did nor show extreme sadness and despair as other cancer patients. She did not She was so emotionally peaceful when she was telling us her story.

Some doctors suggested her to do radiotherapy and chemotherapy first but she declined. She kept on looking for new and mini-invasive treatments on the internet. One day, she accidentally read a piece of news, saying that cholangiocarcinoma can be treated with NanoKnife. “I saw a light of hope after I read the news”. At first, she chose to go back to England for treatment. She consulted a renowned Nanoknife specialist from the Medical School of Imperial College London. However, it would take long time waiting for NanoKnife in England. She chose to go back to China for NanoKnife for fear that her condition would progress.  

Getting to know FUDA by virtue of NanoKnife

Lu Mingying set her mind on the new technology of NanoKnife. She searched about NanoKnife on the Internet and finally traced down to Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital. After learned that FUDA had completed over 70 cases of NanoKnife, she decided to come to Guangzhou Fuda Cancer Hospital for treatment. 

Her sister said, “Before we come to FUDA, I went all the way to a major hospital in Xi’an cause I read from a newspaper that the hospital has completed successful cases of NanoKnife. I even consulted a specialist about my sister’s case but the specialist said the tumor was too big to be ablated. ”

In January 13, 2016, Lu Mingying was admitted into Fuda Cancer Hospital. Due to rapid disease progression, she was too weak to walk upon admission and she had ascites and fever. “From the first day that I was admitted into the hospital, I have had the feeling that it was right for me to choose FUDA. All medical staffs, from the president to doctors and nurses have been very nice to me. On the second day of my admission, Xu Kecheng, the Chief President of FUDA, Niu Lizhi, the Executive President of FUDA and other experts made rounds and they gave me a lot of encouragement. I felt assured. I’mconvinced that I could entrust my life to FUDA. If FUDA cannot do any treatment for me, I won’t be treated in anywhere else.”

In the following days, Lu Mingying received comprehensive treatments, including photodynamic therapy, NanoKnife, iodine seeds implantation therapy, etc. “It is the doctors at FUDA that have saved me from the verge of death.” Lu Mingying said.

After two months’ treatments, she has built up more and more confidence in FUDA. Where does the confidence come from? First of all, it comes from the excellent skills of the doctors. They have been very patient in explaining to me the upcoming treatment and I’m very clear about the possible side effects; secondly, it comes from the “green therapy” offered by FUDA. The green therapy, or minimally invasive treatment, has inflicted no pain, which accords 
with my concept of treatment; thirdly, the confidence comes from the humanitarian service provided by FUDA. Doctors, nurses and cleaners always greet patients with smile. I have been feeling very comfortable for the last two months.

“One of my supervisors died of brain cancer. I thought how nice it would be if he had been treated at FUDA. That’s why I want to share my treatment experience and feelings with other patients so that more patients can get to know FUDA and gain survival benefits here. ”

What Kind Of Cancers Do The Cryoablation Can Treat?

What is percutaneous cryoablation?

In percutaneous cryoablation, no large incisions are made. Instead, an interventional radiologist inserts a thin, needle-like probe through the skin and into the tumor, using advanced imaging technology for guidance. This technique helps avoid larger incisions that are associated with cryoablation during traditional open surgery or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.

How does cryoablation work?

Depending on the tumor's size, one or more probes are inserted into the tumor. Pressurized gas is pumped to a chamber at the needle's tip, where it expands then cools, creating an ice ball chilled to minus 160 degrees Celsius. The ice ball engulfs and destroys the tumor while sparing healthy tissue. Ultrathin sensor needles also are inserted at the tumor's margins to monitor temperatures and ensure that all the cancerous tissue is destroyed.

What kind of cancer do the cryoablation can treat?

Cryoablation is performed by using argon-helium system. Two to three cycles of the freezing/thawing are performed. The freezing continues until the "ice-ball" formed at the tip if the cryoprobe is large enough to cover tumor. A 5-10 mm margin of normal tissue is included in the freezing process. For larger tumors, multiple cryoprobes were used. In some cases, it may become necessary to perform at least 2-3 sessions of the cryoablation procedure. This is possible because the procedure is minimally invasive, and often does not require cutting. The probes are simply inserted through the skin and guided by real-time ultrasound.

Kidney cancer and bone metastases, pancreatic endocrine tumor, pancreatic cancer, retroperitoneal liposarcoma, “ dough figurine” retroperitoneal liposarcoma, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, esophagus cancer, multiple neuroendocrine tumor, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, neck giant teratoma,  uterine Cancer, lymphoma , liver cancer, bone cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer and etc.