Cryoablation for a biopsy-proven fibroadenoma of appropriate size has which potential complication?

Cryoablation for a biopsy-proven fibroadenoma of appropriate size has which potential complication?

• A. Scar or fat necrosis
• B. Lymphedema
• C. Hyperpigmentation
• D. Hair loss

Answer: (A)

Freezing the target tissue during cryoablation damages adipocytes and surrounding tissue, so fat necrosis with subsequent scar formation is a common complication when treating a benign breast lesion like a fibroadenoma. This scarring can feel like a firm area or lump and may even show calcifications on imaging, which is why fat necrosis and scarring are the expected issues to monitor after the procedure. Lymphedema would stem from disruption of axillary lymphatics, which doesn’t occur with this breast-focused ablation. Hyperpigmentation or skin changes can happen with skin trauma in some settings, but they’re not the characteristic or primary complication here, and hair loss is unrelated to this procedure.

Freezing the target tissue during cryoablation damages adipocytes and surrounding tissue, so fat necrosis with subsequent scar formation is a common complication when treating a benign breast lesion like a fibroadenoma. This scarring can feel like a firm area or lump and may even show calcifications on imaging, which is why fat necrosis and scarring are the expected issues to monitor after the procedure. Lymphedema would stem from disruption of axillary lymphatics, which doesn’t occur with this breast-focused ablation. Hyperpigmentation or skin changes can happen with skin trauma in some settings, but they’re not the characteristic or primary complication here, and hair loss is unrelated to this procedure.