SIO is excited to announce the 2025 Breast Cryoablation Master Class in Boston, Massachusetts, on Sunday, 5 October 2025. 

View Photos from the 2025 Breast Cryoablation Mini Master Class

Introduction to Cryoablation and Thermoprotective Techniques

• To describe basic concepts of cryoablation for new users including lethal isotherm and margin considerations
• To describe the concept of overlapping ablation and multiple probe placement for ablation
• To describe basic techniques to protect surrounding structures when performing ablation

Literature Review for High Level Studies

• To describe the current status of the literature supporting cryoablation for breast Ca
• To describe role of literature in implementing breast cryoablation in tumor board

Implementing Breast Cryoablation in Practice

• Describe the basic steps for implementing a new program for breast cryoablation
• Describe the current status of reimbursement in breast ablation
• Describe the logistics of starting a breast cryoablation  practice

Fundamentals of Pre-Ablation Imaging, Lesion Selection, and Patient Work Up

• Describe the required pre ablation imaging prior to a breast ablation and how to interpret images
• Describe optimal lesions for breast cryoablation
• Describe the appropriate patient work up and physical exam prior to performing ablation

Breast Cancer Cryoablation Step by Step

• Demonstrate how to perform breast cancer cryoablation in a practical manner so the user gets an idea of the A-Z components of how to perform a breast cryoablation
• This should be predominantly case based and demonstrate the things that novice and intermediate users will need to know to implement a breast cryoablation program including optimal probe placement and thermoprotective techniques, and patient prep

Post Ablation Imaging: Algorithm and Imaging Findings

• Describe the natural evolution of imaging after ablation over time
• Describe common pitfalls between post ablation change and residual disease/new disease concern
• Describe the optimal imaging algorithm for following patients after breast ablation

Cryoablation in Advanced Breast Cancer: Pushing the Envelope

• Describe the role of breast cryoablation in off-trial or large breast cancers which are not amenable to other treatments
• Describe the current status of the literature for patients who are being treated for breast ablation for palliative or lesion reduction purposes
• Describe additional safety mechanisms to be considered in large lesion ablation
• Describe the role of combination or adjuvant/neoadjuvent therapy in breast ablation in larger lesions

Research Priorities in Locoregional Therapy in Breast Cancer

• Describe the current state of on-going research in locoregional (ablation/transarterial therapy) therapy in breast cancer
• Discuss pivotal study gaps and future study design or trials in progress
• Describe current or future trial design in combination therapy for breast ablation in breast cancer

Introduction to Surgical Management in Breast Cancer

• Describe the basic staging system of breast cancer that learners should know when implementing breast cancer cryoablation in practice
• Describe the basic considerations of when to offer surgical management and what type of surgical management strategies are considered when patients are being considered for either surgery or cryoablation

Neoadjuvant and Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer

• Describe the basic medical management strategy for patients presenting with breast cancer
• Describe the basic neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapy considerations (what therapy, timing, and which patients) as it relates to breast cancer patients who are candidates for breast cryoablation
• Describe basic hormone receptor status and therapies  

MDT Tumor Board

• Moderator led panel to discuss cases in a format that is similar to tumor board at your institution
• Moderators will prepare 4-5 cases to present the case initially (just imaging and basic history) then the panel will go through each of their roles in the tumor board with the moderator facilitating discussion come to a treatment plan
• Moderators may then show how the case was ultimately managed at their home institution