What treatment method uses extreme cold to destroy tissue?

Cryosurgery is a treatment method that uses extreme cold to destroy tissue. This technique involves applying freezing temperatures to target cells, which leads to cell injury or death, often used for removing abnormal or diseased tissue, such as tumors or warts. The freezing process can also preserve surrounding healthy tissue while effectively treating the affected area.

In contrast, radiation therapy employs high-energy particles or waves to kill or damage cancer cells, but it does not involve extreme cold. Electrotherapy uses electrical currents for therapeutic purposes, which is different from the freezing action of cryosurgery. Laser therapy, on the other hand, utilizes focused light beams for various medical applications, including surgery and skin treatments, but does not employ cold temperatures to induce tissue destruction. Thus, cryosurgery is distinctly characterized by its utilization of cold as a means to treat conditions effectively.