A deep-freezing technique known as cryoablation is a viable alternative to traditional surgery in many early-stage breast cancers, researchers report in the Annals of Surgical Oncology. "Minimally invasive techniques are becoming increasingly popular in cancer care, and cryoablation represents a valid option for early-stage breast cancer treatment," says Rache Simmons, M.D., the Anne K. and Edwin C. Weiskopf Professor of Surgical Oncology. "The results from this trial are extremely promising, and we look forward to exploring the technique for a greater number of patients." In cryoablation, doctors use ultrasound imaging to insert a thin, needle-like device into the patient’s tumor. Once inside, the device emits liquid nitrogen, which freezes and destroys the cancerous tissue. The phase II, non-randomized trial examined eighty-six patients at nineteen centers across the country.