01/06/2026
Australia has introduced a groundbreaking medical innovation with the unveiling of its first MRI‑guided cryoablation machine at Liverpool Hospital in Sydney.
According to ABC News Australia, this technology allows doctors to freeze tumors and relieve pain without the need for invasive surgery. The procedure works by inserting a slim, gas‑powered needle into the tumor under real‑time MRI guidance. The probe then cools rapidly, creating an “ice ball” that destroys abnormal cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.
According to The Guardian, the machine can reach temperatures as low as minus 180 degrees Celsius, effectively killing tumor cells. The MRI provides live imaging throughout the process, enabling specialists to monitor the freezing and adjust in real time for maximum precision. This makes the treatment safer and more accurate compared to traditional methods.
Patients benefit from the minimally invasive nature of cryoablation. Instead of large incisions, only a small puncture is required, which means faster recovery and less pain. According to SBS News, one of the first patients, 64‑year‑old grandmother Josephine Cordina, had a nine‑millimeter spinal tumor that caused severe pain. After undergoing cryoablation, she reported waking up the next day pain‑free, describing the relief as immediate and life‑changing.
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