[A pet dog, phot unrelated to the article. / Courtesy of News1] As companion animals age, more are being diagnosed with tumors affecting the skin and mucous membranes, raising concerns among pet owners—especially those hesitant about general anesthesia for older animals with chronic conditions. A growing alternative, cryosurgery, is gaining attention as a minimally invasive treatment option that can remove tumors without the need for full anesthesia. According to Ye-eun Animal Medical Center in Asia, cryosurgery uses low-temperature energy to selectively destroy abnormal tissue. Depending on the location and size of the lesion, as well as the animal’s condition, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or sedation within a relatively short time.
[Results of cryosurgery performed on a dog with an eyelid tumor. / Courtesy of Ye-eun Animal Medical Center]
[Cryosurgery being performed on a dog with a skin tumor. / Courtesy of Ye-eun Animal Medical Center] Veterinarian Lee Nuri at the center has applied the technique across various cases based on extensive clinical experience. Lee, who holds a master’s degree in general surgery from Seoul National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and is pursuing a doctoral degree in medical device industry studies at Yonsei University, has also shared clinical outcomes and expertise in cryosurgery in domestic and international academic forums. “Most procedures are completed within 10 to 20 minutes, with minimal bleeding, allowing patients to return home the same day and resume daily activities,” Lee said. “It is particularly effective for tumors in areas where surgical excision may risk functional damage, such as the eyelids, around the anus, and toes.” The procedure utilizes a veterinary medical device known as VetEase, distributed by Yuhan Corp., which employs rapid cooling technology to enhance drug absorption without causing pain. The device can be used as an adjunct when administering treatments such as exosomes, aiding in lesion removal through targeted freezing. The success of tumor removal depends not only on medical devices but also on the clinical expertise of practitioners. Careful selection of cases based on tumor size, location and malignancy is essential to prevent recurrence and improve treatment outcomes. The center operates a multidisciplinary consultation system, conducting thorough pre-procedure evaluations in collaboration with internal medicine and anesthesia teams to assess cardiovascular and overall health conditions. In one case, a 14-year-old dog previously deemed unfit for surgery due to an enlarged heart successfully underwent toe tumor removal following detailed evaluation. Lee has expanded the application of cryosurgery to various tumor types and anatomical sites, including areas requiring structural preservation or presenting high procedural difficulty, promoting a minimally invasive approach. He also presented on the surgical application of cryotherapy in veterinary practice at the 46th Osaka Clinical Veterinary Conference last year and has shared expertise through webinars targeting domestic veterinarians.
[Veterinarian Lee Nuri speaks at the 46th Osaka Clinical Veterinary Conference. / Courtesy of Ye-eun Animal Medical Center] Lee said cryosurgery offers an effective alternative for patients whose treatment has been delayed due to concerns over general anesthesia, significantly improving quality of life. “We will continue to expand clinical applications and research to provide less burdensome treatment options tailored to each patient’s condition,” he said.
[Veterinarian Lee Nuri / Courtesy of News1]
