|
Warming to the Idea of Freezing
When cancer was detected in her only functioning kidney, this Point Pleasant Beach woman
became the first patient at Ocean Medical Center to undergo state-of-the-art kidney cryosurgery.
Beatrice Scarano, 85, of Point
Pleasant Beach was understandably
scared when she was recently
diagnosed with kidney cancer —
especially because she had only
one functioning kidney remaining
at the time. Her other kidney had been
removed a year earlier, following the
diagnosis of a large kidney cancer.
Optimistic at the prospect of a
minimally invasive procedure called
kidney cryosurgery that would
essentially freeze the cancer and
preserve the kidney, Beatrice turned
to Robyn Leitner, M.D., a boardeligible
urologist at Ocean Medical
Center who is specially trained in
the procedure.
So, with nine brothers and sisters
at her side lending their moral support,
Beatrice became Ocean Medical
Center’s first patient to be treated
for kidney cancer using cryosurgery.
A Close-Up Look at the Procedure
"Beatrice was a terrific candidate
for cryosurgery," says Dr. Leitner,
"mainly because of the size of
her tumor and her overall health
status." During cryosurgery —
performed laparoscopically
in Ocean Medical Center’s
modernized operating suite —
three small incisions are made,
each less than 1 centimeter long.
Dr. Leitner then relies on a tiny
telescope that, once inserted
through these incisions,
broadcasts views of the internal
organs as well as the inside of
the abdomen to a flat-screen
television monitor. Ultrasound
technology guides the probe
to pinpoint the exact location
of the cancer.
Following a biopsy, argon gas freezes
the entire tumor. Next, it is thawed
and frozen a second and final time.
This vital freezing cycle takes
approximately 20 minutes of
the entire 45-minute procedure.
In sum, Dr. Leitner explains,
"Cryosurgery freezes the cancer cells
and kills them directly. In addition,
a rim of kidney around the tumor
is also frozen to ensure an adequate
margin." Kidney cells do not regenerate,
so only scar tissue is left behind.
Breakthrough Care
W. Peter Daniels, president of Ocean
Medical Center, notes that such
advances in technology and surgical
techniques provide significant
advantages to patients. "We are all
very fortunate to have the benefits of
modern technology that aid our very
talented physicians. As a result, patients are spending less time in
the hospital, with fewer complications,
and they are returning to their daily
routines faster than ever."
Dr. Leitner seconds that opinion,
particularly in the area of kidney
disease: "For many patients, cryosurgery
is a great alternative to more invasive
surgical options, such as partial
nephrectomy, which removes part
of the kidney. Although it is considered
the gold standard for this type of lesion,
it does pose a greater risk for postoperative
complications."
Kidney cryosurgery, on the other
hand, "eliminates the need for hospital
stays of 7 to 10 days, which is required
following more invasive surgeries,"
Dr. Leitner adds. "With cryosurgery,
most patients stay overnight for
observation and then are sent home to
regain their full strength." Another key
benefit of this procedure is the marked reduction in side effects: less pain,
less bleeding, and a decreased
chance of post-operative infection.
A Win-Win Outcome
The doctor is extremely pleased
with the patient’s recovery, for
Beatrice found a special place
in Dr. Leitner’s heart. "She is
one of the sweetest women I’ve
met, and the concern shown by
her family every step of the way
was impressive."
And the patient? Well, an
equally pleased Beatrice is back
to doing the things that mean the
most to her, like spending quality
time with her beloved family and
taking trips to Atlantic City’s coast.
 – Lynne Nouvel
|
