How To Treat Cowden Syndrome

Laser Ablation

An individual affected by Cowden syndrome may need to undergo laser ablation as part of their treatment plan if any abnormal lesions are found that do not warrant a traditional excision procedure. Laser ablation uses a high energy beam of light to destroy the top layers of problematic tissue so healthy and normal tissue can grow back in its place. However, laser ablation is only an effective method for the removal or destruction of superficial abnormal or precancerous tissues. This technique is utilized when traditional surgical excision procedures would cause unnecessary removal of healthy tissue. Laser ablation has numerous benefits over traditional surgical excision, including less dysfunction, less scarring, less bleeding, less time, and may not require a traditional incision. Laser ablation is only used on Cowden syndrome patients after a tissue biopsy has been taken, as the procedure itself does not allow for the biopsy of the lesion. For malignant lesions, a more aggressive approach with laser ablation is usually taken: wide laser excision.

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Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery may be part of the treatment plan of an individual affected by Cowden syndrome. Patients may develop multiple papules on their face, tongue, and lips. Hamartomas of hair follicle tissue on the face and body may also become a cosmetic and or functional issue. A Cowden syndrome patient may develop polyps in the intestinal tract with the potential to become malignant. Cryosurgery can be used to eliminate all of these abnormal lesions in an individual who has Cowden syndrome. Cryosurgery is a surgical procedure where extremely cold temperatures are used to eliminate abnormal or precancerous tissues before they have a chance to cause a problem. These extremely cold temperatures are usually obtained through the use of liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or argon. While most cryosurgery procedures are used to eliminate abnormal and precancerous lesions on an individual's skin, it can also be used on lesions inside of the body. Cryosurgery can be used during a colonoscopy to destroy intestinal polyps, early prostate cancer, abnormal or precancerous lesions on the liver, and many others.

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