Treatment for lung cancer
Cryotherapy is a way of killing cancer cells by freezing them. It is also called cryosurgery or cryoablation. Your doctor might also use it to help them make a diagnosis.
You normally have cryotherapy as a day case procedure in the hospital's endoscopy unit or CT room.
You might have a sore throat, hoarse voice or an irritating cough for a couple of days after the test because of the bronchoscopy tube.
You might cough up spit and pus that were trapped in a blocked and infected part of the lung.
You might cough up some tumour tissue for 1 or 2 days after this treatment, which can be unpleasant.
Seeing some blood in your spit is normal after your cryotherapy treatment. It might give you a metallic taste in your mouth. If you are coughing up blood, let your doctor know straight away.
Your doctor will talk to you about the risks and benefits of having cryotherapy. It’s a safe procedure but every treatment has potential risks and side effects.
Cryotherapy should make it easier to breathe. Let your doctor know if you find it more difficult to breathe.
Let your doctor know if you develop any signs of a chest infection. This includes having a high temperature and your phlegm (sputum) changing colour.
The risk is small, but a hole can happen in the airway tissue (perforation) during cryotherapy. Or changes may happen to the airway tissue, such as an ulcer forming. If this happens, you might need a stent or surgery.
Your doctor will take extra care to prevent this from happening.
You can have the treatment again if the tumour starts to block the airway again. Or your doctor might suggest other treatments instead.
Last reviewed: 22 Mar 2023
Next review due: 22 Mar 2026
Your treatment depends on several factors. These include what type of lung cancer you have, how big it is and whether it has spread (the stage). It also depends on your general health.
Metastatic lung cancer is when the cancer has spread from the lung and gone to another part of the body.
There is support available during and after treatment to help you cope. This includes support from your clinical nurse specialist, cancer charities, community services, and family and friends.
Metastatic lung cancer can cause problems with your breathing. Some treatments can help you breathe more easily.
Feeling short of breath can be hard to live with. It can make you feel tired and like everything is a struggle. But some things can help you to cope.
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