Progress in cryosurgery

Cryosurgery (in situ freezing), the controlled cryogenic destruction of tissues in situ rather than their removal by conventional surgical excision, has been efficaciously employed for the treatment of numerous benign and malignant neoplasms. Studies have indicated the participation of an immunologic response to antigens of the frozen tissue, ie cryoimmunization, as contributing to cryodestruction. Following a cursory overview of the background and rationale for studies of the immunologic phase of cryodestruction, consideration is given to recent experimental and clinical studies contributing to our further understanding and application of cryoimmunization as a therapeutic modality.