Oncology

Interventional radiologists play a critical role in treating cancer using image-guided, minimally invasive procedures that directly target tumors while sparing healthy tissue. These treatments can be used alone or alongside chemotherapy, surgery, and other therapies to help manage disease, reduce symptoms, and improve outcomes.

Liver cancer (hepato-biliary tumors)

For primary liver cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, and secondary tumors that have spread to the liver, we offer several options:

  • Radioembolization: Tiny radioactive beads are delivered directly into the liver’s blood vessels to target and shrink tumors from within.
  • Chemoembolization: Chemotherapy drugs are injected into the blood vessels feeding the tumor, followed by small particles that block the blood flow, keeping the medicine in place longer.
  • Bland embolization: This procedure blocks blood flow to the tumor using small particles only, without chemotherapy or radiation in selected patients.
  • Thermal ablation: Energy-based techniques such as microwave ablation, cryoablation, or radiofrequency ablation are used to destroy cancer cells by applying intense energy through a needle-like probe.

Renal cell cancer (kidney cancer)

For certain kidney tumors, we offer ablation procedures to destroy cancer cells without surgery. These treatments are especially helpful for patients who are not surgical candidates.

Osseous tumors (bone tumors)

We treat painful bone tumors — whether primary or metastatic — using embolization to reduce blood flow or ablation to destroy tumor cells and relieve pain.

Lung cancer

Interventional radiologists may assist with lung tumor diagnosis through image-guided biopsy or with treatment through ablation for select patients with localized lung tumors.

Soft tissue tumors

Using embolization or ablation techniques, we can shrink or destroy tumors in soft tissues, such as muscle or fat, often improving symptoms and making other treatments more effective.

Fluid drainage for cancer-related symptoms

For patients with recurrent fluid buildup from cancer in the chest (pleural effusion) or abdomen (ascites), we place tunneled catheters that allow for ongoing fluid drainage at home, helping relieve pressure, pain, or breathing difficulty.