US Medical Term · procedures
Cryotherapy
Crioterapia
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Cryotherapy |
| Spanish (Español) | Crioterapia |
| Chinese (中文) | 冷凍治療 |
| Korean (한국어) | 냉동 치료 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Liệu pháp lạnh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Cryotherapy |
| Portuguese (Português) | Crioterapia |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การรักษาด้วยความเย็น |
| Japanese (日本語) | 凍結療法 |
What it means
Cryotherapy uses extreme cold — typically liquid nitrogen — to freeze and destroy abnormal or unwanted tissue. Doctors apply it directly to skin lesions such as warts, actinic keratoses, and certain skin cancers. It is also used internally to treat abnormal cells in the cervix (cryosurgery), and in oncology to freeze tumors in organs such as the liver, prostate, or kidney. The procedure is usually quick, done in a clinic or office setting, and local anesthesia may be used. The treated area typically blisters, scabs, and heals over days to weeks. Multiple sessions may be needed for complete treatment.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My dermatologist used cryotherapy to freeze a wart on my hand.
Mi dermatólogo usó crioterapia para congelar una verruga en mi mano.
I received cryotherapy at the gynecologist's office for abnormal cervical cells.
Recibí crioterapia en el consultorio del ginecólogo por células cervicales anómalas.
Is cryotherapy for actinic keratosis covered under my dermatology benefit?
¿La crioterapia para la queratosis actínica está cubierta bajo mi beneficio de dermatología?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026