Thomas Hospital in Fairhope performed the first cryoablation to cure breast cancer in the state.
The technology destroys tumors by freezing them, rather than requiring the patient to undergo surgery. In fact, patients stay fully awake as the therapy quickly freezes the tumor. No other medical facility in Alabama offers the minimally invasive treatment known as IceCure.
“Thomas Hospital and Infirmary Health are leading the advancement of breast care in Alabama, where they serve a large population of women from around the Gulf Coast region,” said Shad Good, with IceCure.
The FDA approved the treatment in October 2025, and this week, Thomas Hospital performed the procedure in under 30 minutes on a woman in her nineties. Hospital administrators hope increased awareness of the procedure will attract more patients to undergo the life-saving treatment.
Nathan Payne, J.D., M.Ed., director of the Thomas Hospital Foundation, added, “This technology represents a meaningful step forward for breast care on the Eastern Shore, bringing advanced, less invasive treatment options to patients at Thomas Hospital.”
For now, the procedure is only approved for low-risk, early-stage breast cancer patients.
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