cryosurgery

noun

cryo·​sur·​gery ˌkrī-ō-ˈsərj-rē 

-ˈsər-jə-

: surgery in which usually diseased or abnormal tissue (as of a tumor or wart) is destroyed or removed by freezing (as by liquid nitrogen)

cryosurgeon

ˌkrī-ō-ˈsər-jən 

noun

cryosurgical

ˌkrī-ō-ˈsər-ji-kəl 

adjective

Examples of cryosurgery in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Internal cryosurgery requires a small cut or puncture for the cryosurgery probe, reducing the risk of pain, bleeding, and infection. —Archana Sharma, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025

The two types of cryosurgery are as follows: External cryosurgery: A healthcare provider applies cryogen using a cotton swab or spray device to freeze abnormal cells.1 As the frozen tissue thaws, the cells die. —Archana Sharma, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025

It can be done via ice, water or air, including cryosurgery for lesions, ice packs for swelling, or through ice baths for various purposes including exercise recovery or stress reduction. —Kristen Rogers, CNN, 24 July 2024

Skin tags specifically can be removed in one of three ways: snipping it off with small surgical scissors, burning it (electrocautery), or freezing it (cryosurgery), according to Dr. Jaliman and the AOCD. —Madison Yauger, Health.com, 10 June 2021

Because studies of the long-term results of third-generation cryosurgery are not available, some medical professionals, including California Cancer Associates’ Anthony, do not recommend it. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2019

Current treatments are cryosurgery or freezing, burning, cutting, or scraping the growths off, all more invasive and potentially painful options, the company said. —Linda Loyd, Philly.com, 15 Dec. 2017

Today’s surgeons have everything from lasers to cryosurgery—the freezing of abnormal tissue—at their disposal. —The Economist, 14 Sep. 2017

Others being developed include ultrasound therapy using soundwaves to kill the cancer cells and cryosurgery in which the cancer cells are killed by being frozen. —Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 24 Jan. 2017

Word History

Etymology

cryo- + surgery

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cryosurgery

• microsurgery
• neurosurgery
• psychosurgery
• perjury
• surgery
• radiosurgery

Medical Definition

cryosurgery

noun

cryo·​sur·​gery ˌkrī-ō-ˈsərj-(ə-)rē 

plural cryosurgeries

: surgery in which diseased or abnormal tissue (as a tumor or wart) is destroyed or removed by freezing (as by the use of liquid nitrogen)

cryosurgical

-ji-kəl 

adjective