Interventional radiology in cancer patients

Procedures performed by an interventional radiology specialist are becoming increasingly important in the management of patients with cancer Although general interventional radiology procedures such as angiography and angiopl asty are used in patients with and without cancer, certain procedures are r eserved for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer or cancer-related complic ations. Interventional radiology procedures include imaging-guided biopsies to obtain samples for cytologic or pathologic testing without affecting ad jacent structures. Transjugular liver biopsy is used to diagnose hepatic pa renchymal abnormalities without traversing Glisson's capsule. This biopsy p rocedure is particularly useful in patients with coagulopathies. Because th e transjugular liver biopsy obtains random samples. it is not recommended f or biopsy of discrete hepatic masses. Fluid collections can also be sampled or drained using interventional radiology techniques. Transcatheter chemoe mbolization is a procedure that delivers a chemotherapeutic agent to a tumo r along with sponge particles that have an ischemic effect on the mass. Tum or ablation. gene therapy and access of central veins for treatment are per formed effectively under radiographic: guidance. Cancer complications can a lso be treated with interventional radiology techniques. Examples include p ain control procedures, vertebroplasty and drainage of obstructed organs. i nterventional radiology techniques typically represent the least invasive d efinitive diagnostic or therapeutic options available for patients with can cer. They can often be performed at a lower cost and with less associated m orbidity than other interventions.