INTERVENTIONAL PALLIATIVE THERAPY

From diagnostic procedures interventional radiology has developed a la rge number of therapeutic methods that have found a place in the treat ment of palliative care patients. Minimal invasiveness and high effici ency characterise the implantation of metallic stents in the treatment of malignant biliary or esophageal obstruction and vena cava compress ion syndrome. Transcatheter arterial embolisation, chemoembolisation a nd chemoinfusion for palliative treatment of inoperable liver malignom as are performed at many centers. A specific concept and an accepted s pectrum of indications have to be better defined by prospective trials . Therapeutic decisions in this patient group have to based on the ind ividual case. The interventional radiologist is increasingly involved in the interdisciplinary decision making process.