Ingalls Doctors Put the ‘Deep Freeze’ on Tumors and Save Patient’s Kidneys
A diagnosis of kidney cancer came out of left field for 34-year-old mike Baiker of montgomery. Barely sick a day in his life, the robust father of three was stunned when he received the bad news in late 2007.
As he struggled to make sense of it, Baiker was hit with another curveball. His doctor told him the only viable treatment option involved removal of both kidneys, followed by grueling dialysis treatments and a lengthy wait on a kidney transplant list.
The cancer was bad enough, Baiker thought, but the treatment would be unbearable.
“As a paramedic for Trace Ambulance, I’ve transported dialysis patients to treatment for 15 years. I have three kids to support, and my fiancé has three kids. There was no way I could be hooked up to a machine three days a week for the rest of my life. I was very depressed.”
“The standard treatment for kidney cancer is removal of the whole kidney or the tumor,” board-certified urologist rajesh Patel, M.D., explained.
But to Baiker’s relief, Dr. Patel told him he was a candidate for cryoablation, a highly advanced and targeted form of cancer treatment that involves “freezing” the tumor to destroy the cancer. Instead of removing the kidneys, Dr. Patel would target just the tumors.
Most patients are able to go home the next day and experience little or no pain, fewer complications and a quicker overall recovery.
“I was in such a great mood when I left Dr. Patel’s office,” Baiker said. “For the first time, I had hope.”
Baiker underwent cryoablation of both kidney tumors at Ingalls in 2008. He went home the next day with his kidneys intact and resumed work in a week.
Several months later, a follow-up CT scan showed traces of remaining cancer on the left kidney. A second cryoablation procedure on that kidney would be necessary.
Because the remaining tumor was located near critical kidney structures, Dr. Patel called on the expertise of board-certified interventional radiologist Thomas Aquisto, M.D.
For the follow-up procedure, Dr. Aquisto recommended highly detailed CT-guided imaging to help visualize and target the cancerous mass with maximum precision to spare as much kidney and kidney function as possible.
So in January of this year, Dr. Aquisto successfully performed CT-guided cryoablation on Baiker’s left kidney, removing the remainder of the cancerous tumor while preserving the kidney and its overall function. Baiker felt so good after the procedure, he went home the very same day. Several months later, a repeat CT scan showed no evidence of cancer on either kidney.
“Patients benefit when physicians collaborate on complicated cases like this one,” Dr. Aquisto said.
“We are very pleased with the results,” Dr. Patel added. Baiker is too.
“I’m healthy. I’m working, and I don’t have to worry about other treatments,” he said. “my family and I are so grateful to Dr. Patel and Dr. Aquisto. They gave me my life back.”
Success Stories
Advanced Orthopedic Institute
Organ Repairman Back in Tune with Anterior Hip Surgery
State Wrestling Champ Grapples with Torn ACL and Triumphs!
Back Pain a Thing of the Past Following Disc Replacement
Ingalls Making an Impact on Concussion
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Flossmoor Woman Walking Tall Again After Anterior Hip Replacement
Anterior Hip Surgery Helps Busy Olympia Fields Woman Stay Independent
No Distance Too Great to Travel for Anterior Hip Replacement
Titanium Ankle Implant Gets Gift Shop Manager Back on Her Feet
Deuce Partial Knee Offers High-performance Option for Active Patients
Revolutionary Technique Restores Damaged Knee Cartilage
New Custom-Fit Knee Implant Means Better, Longer-Lasting Wear
Shoulder Repair: When Conventional Isn't An Option
Partial Knee Offers Permanent Fix
'A Complete Turnabout' Spine Procedure Relieves Indiana Man's Neck Pain
Behavioral Health
Ingalls Behavioral Health Expands Adolescent Services
Chicago Man Celebrates One Year of Sobriety
Cancer Center
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
'Accidental Find' of Melanoma Saves Park Forest Woman
Proper Nutrition is a Must for Cancer Patients
Ingalls Honored for Outstanding Cancer Achievement
Our Experts Take Cancer Care Personally
Dolton Man Faces Lung Cancer with a Positive Attitude
Ingalls Doctors Put the 'Deep Freeze' on Tumors and Save Patient's Kidneys
Ingalls Introduces Ambassadors for Cancer Research
Ingalls Enrolling Patients in National Pancreatic Cancer Study
Chicago Woman is 'Poster Child' for Successful Breast Cancer Treatment
Helping Cancer Survivors Triumph Over Stress and Depression
Dialysis
Dialysis Access Experts at Ingalls Create Lifeline for Alsip Man
Complementary Medicine
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Heart and Vascular
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Quick Response Saves 38-Year-Old Man
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Ingalls/Rotary Fair is a Lifesaver for Hazel Crest Village Clerk
South Holland Woman Treated for Rare Heart Tumor
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
Home Care and Hospice
Tele-Monitoring Helps Reduce CHF Hospitalizations
Palliative Care Comforts and Improves Quality of Life
Expert Wound Care Heals South Holland Man's Foot
Ingalls Hospice Offers Comfort, Care and Support
Interventional Radiology
Unique Liver Tumor Treatment Provides Hope for South Side Native
Big 10 College Official Scores with Leg Vein Procedure
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Vein Treatment at Ingalls Takes the Ache Out of Frankfort Man's Legs
Minimally Invasive Aneurysm Repair Saves Life of Country Club Hills Man
Team Effort - Ingalls Doctors Work Together to Save Lynwood Woman's Life
New Therapy for Patients with Inoperable Liver Cancer
Irwin Retina Center
Irwin Retina Center: Landmark Macular Degenration Study Shows Two Drugs Equally Effective
National Study At Ingalls Compares Treatments for 'Wet' Macular Degeneration
Neurosciences
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Disturbing the Peace Sleep Disorders Steal the Winks
Occupational Health
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Workplace wellness initiatives pay off
Outpatient Services
Ingalls Same Say Surgery: 25 Years of Exceptional Service
South Holland Man Touts Convenience of Ingalls Same Day Surgery
Rehabilitative Services
Lansing Man Speaks Clearly Again Following Stroke Rehab
Ingalls Stroke Care Helps Indiana Man Regain Independence
Munster Woman Achieves 'Medical Miracles'
Ingalls Physical Therapy Helps Oak Forest Man Overcome Dizzy Spells
Breathe Easier with Ingalls Asthma Education
It Matters Where You Go For Stroke Care
Ingalls Rehab 'Home Away from Home' for Orland Hills Man
Occupational Therapy: Fine-Tuning Children's Motor Skills
Rheumatology Treatment
Newer Treatments Encouraging for Patients woth Psoriatic Arthritis
Urinary Incontinence
From Therapy to Surgery: Incontinence Program Offers Range of Options
Wellness
Botox an Unexpected Treatment for Migraine Sufferers
Walking Can Lower Your Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Womens Services
Treating Uterine Fibroids Without Hysterectomy
Simple Surgical Repair Fixes Bladder Prolapse for Midlothian Woman
Healthy Baby Network Invaluable for Expectant Women and Adolescents
Ingalls Designated as Breast Imaging Center of Excellence
A Full Range of Care Designed Just for Women
Minimally Invasive Alternative to Hysterectomy
Wound Care
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Helps Heal Foot Ulcer
