Garrett Pioneers Breast Cryoablation at WashU Medicine
Heather V. Garrett, MD, performs a minimally invasive breast cancer treatment at Siteman Cancer Center. She is a leading U.S. practitioner of cryoablation, which uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. Photo credit: Carol Green
Heather V. Garrett, MD, associate professor of radiology at WashU Medicine Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR), is a leading practitioner of cryoablation, a minimally invasive alternative to surgically removing early-stage breast cancer tumors.
Cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy cancer cells. As an alternative to lumpectomy, the procedure involves inserting a thin probe into the tumor to create an ice ball that precisely destroys the targeted tissue. Ultrasound guides probe placement, while real-time imaging helps ensure adequate treatment margins and protect surrounding healthy tissue. Cryoablation may be an option for patients with small, localized tumors who are not candidates for surgery or prefer a less invasive approach.
Garrett has established Siteman Cancer Center as a high-volume center for breast cryoablation, attracting patients from across the region. She performs nearly 50 procedures each year and was the first physician in St. Louis to perform percutaneous ultrasound-guided breast cryoablation. She also leads the COOL-IT and COOL-IT-PRO clinical trials.
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