Cancer

The Vascular & Interventional Institute offers several minimally invasive tests and treatments to diagnose and treat certain cancers.

Diagnostic Imaging

Image-guided biopsies are used for patients who have been told they have a mass that is difficult to biopsy. Using diagnostic imaging, an interventional radiologist can guide a biopsy needle precisely where it needs to go for the most accurate diagnosis possible.

Cancer Treatments

Cancer may spread from any part of the body to the liver. There the cancer cells may grow for months or years before they are detected. One of the most common sources of metastatic liver cancer is tumors of the colon and rectum. Interventional radiology procedures to treat these tumors include the following.

Embolization

This procedure cuts off the blood supply to a tumor. It can be especially helpful for tumors that cannot be easily removed through surgery. The interventional radiologist uses a thin catheter to block the artery feeding the tumor. This can help slow tumor growth or shrink the existing tumor.

Radiation or chemotherapy may be delivered directly to the tumor during the embolization procedure. These processes are referred to as radioembolization or chemoembolization.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation delivers heat to cancerous tissue to destroy it. This is accomplished through a probe that emits a targeted high-frequency electrical wave. The tumor is heated while healthy surrounding tissue is left untouched. Your interventional radiologist uses CT or ultrasound imaging to guide the probe.

Cryoablation

Cryoablation achieves a similar effect to radiofrequency ablation but uses liquid nitrogen or argon gas rather than heat. These gases reduce the tumor’s temperature to kill those cells. Cryoablation is particularly useful for kidney tumors, and kills cancer cells without harming the kidney.

Since every patient is different, our team will create a treatment plan depending on your unique circumstances. We will work alongside your oncologist and other providers.