Louisville Gets New Freezing Treatment for Esophageal Cancer

Patients with esophageal cancer in Louisville now have access to a treatment that uses extreme cold instead of surgery to fight their disease.

Dr. William B. Evans III at Norton Audubon Hospital has become the first physician in the city to offer truFreeze spray cryotherapy for esophageal cancer. The technology arrived thanks to a $100,000 grant from Norton Healthcare Foundation.

The procedure works through an endoscope inserted through the patient's mouth. A special catheter sprays liquid nitrogen to freeze cancerous tissue, causing the cells to die while preserving healthy surrounding areas.

Unlike surgery or radiation, this approach targets only the unwanted tissue. That means patients keep more of their healthy esophagus intact, which is crucial for swallowing and everyday life.

The benefits go beyond precision. Patients experience less pain, fewer complications, and quicker recovery times compared to traditional treatments.

The procedure can also eliminate Barrett esophagus, a precancerous condition, with less scarring and lower risk of the esophagus narrowing. If needed, doctors can repeat the treatment without the cumulative damage that comes with radiation.

Dr. Evans says the technology is changing what doctors can tell their patients. "It's changing the conversation around what's possible in managing this disease," he explained.

Esophageal cancer affects about 1% of cancer patients nationwide but ranks as the seventh leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Men face three times higher risk than women, and 9 out of 10 diagnoses occur in people 55 or older.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't Dr. Evans' first breakthrough for Louisville patients. In 2025, he also became the first and only physician in Kentucky to perform a radiofrequency ablation procedure for pancreatic cancer.

The investment in cutting-edge cancer technology means Louisville residents can access advanced care close to home. Families no longer need to travel far for specialized treatments that might extend survival and improve quality of life.

Lynnie Meyer from Norton Healthcare Foundation called it "an investment in better outcomes and futures for our community." That investment ripples outward as more patients benefit from less invasive options and faster healing.

The future of cancer treatment is getting smaller, smarter, and closer to home.