Cryoablation, also called cryotherapy, cryosurgery or targeted cryoablation therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to
freeze and destroy diseased tissue, including cancer cells. Although cryotherapy and cryoablation can be used interchangeably, the term "cryosurgery"
is reserved best for cryotherapy performed using an open, surgical approach. During cryoablation, liquid nitrogen or argon gas is applied to cancerous
cells. Physicians use image-guidance techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to help guide these
freezing substances to treatment sites located inside the body. Cryoablation is commonly used to treat cancers of the prostate, liver, kidneys and cervix.