Innovative Procedure: Orthopaedic Surgeons Freeze Tumour in a Child’s Femur

Doctors at the orthopaedic clinic in Gorna Banya have successfully frozen a tumour in the femur of a four-year-old boy, using a procedure applied for the first time in Bulgaria. The innovative approach meant that a major surgical operation—associated with significant pain and a long recovery period—was avoided.

For more than a year, Anton Popov’s son had been unable to sleep because of severe pain in his leg.

Anton Popov: “Terrible night-time pain. He would cry and couldn’t get any proper rest. That’s why we sought medical help.”

After two months of visits to various hospitals, doctors finally reached a diagnosis.

Anton Popov: “Our child was suffering from an osteoid osteoma. In this case, urgent surgery was required. We went from hospital to hospital, because it’s a procedure that carries risks for a child.”

The family then learned that a less invasive treatment option was available. Specialists at the Gorna Banya orthopaedic unit proposed freezing the tumour rather than removing it through open surgery. A special probe, tailored to the size and location of the growth, is used in the procedure.

Dr Stefan Tserovski, “Paediatric Orthopaedics”, University Orthopaedic Hospital ‘Prof. Boycho Boychev’:
“The aim is to ensure that when we create a specific volume of an ice ball, cooled to a very low temperature, it encompasses the entire formation. Because of the low temperature, the cells should undergo restructuring.”

After the procedure, the four-year-old boy woke up without any pain in his leg.

Anton Popov: “He’s now sleeping peacefully. He feels well. They spared us a complex operation. The wound is much smaller—just a minimal incision.”

Dr Stefan Tserovski:
“We expect remission of the tumour. If there are no symptoms by the sixth month, we assume no further intervention will be needed.”

Whether this freezing technique will begin to be offered to other patients in Bulgaria will depend on the results in this case. Doctors diagnose around 20 children a year with benign femoral tumours, most of whom currently undergo surgical treatment.