The King Hussein Cancer Centre (KHCC) is the first hospital in the Kingdom to successfully perform a cryoablation operation for kidney tumour, which enables freezing the tumour cells without affecting the rest of the kidney through using special needles, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The KHCC team included Hazim Haboub, M.D., Consultant of interventional radiology; Jafa Bani Issa M.D., Mohammed Shahait, M.D., Consultant of urology; and Hussein Abo-Khader, chairman of the anaesthesia department.

"The aim was not only to treat the tumour but also to preserve the rest of the healthy part of the kidney, minimise the risk of bleeding and avoid general anaesthesia as the operation was performed under conscious sedation,” said Shahait.

"This resulted in minimal post-operative pain and no opioids needed after the procedure.”

During the procedure, the team inserted four needles in the kidney tumour. Then used cryotherapy machine to freeze the tumour.

"The cryotherapy approach is very promising,” said Haboub, adding "we are looking forward to continuing to refine this technique, and our team is optimistic that this minimally invasive technique can add to our range of options for treating small kidney tumours.”

Abdullah Nofal, M.D., chair of radiology in the centre, said: "This technique allows patients to regain their quality of life more rapidly. Using the latest technology to help our patients live a full life is the true spirit of innovation that we foster at King Hussein Cancer Centre.”