Overview

Interventional Oncology is a specialized area of medicine that uses minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat cancer.

For patients with liver cancer, these procedures offer highly targeted treatment options that can destroy or control tumors while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible. Interventional oncology therapies may be used as an alternative to surgery in select patients or alongside surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

ELMNT IR works closely with hepatologists, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, transplant teams, and referring physicians to develop individualized treatment strategies based on each patient’s diagnosis and treatment goals.

Conditions Commonly Treated

Interventional oncology procedures may be appropriate for patients with:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
• Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma
• Colorectal cancer liver metastases
• Neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases
• Breast cancer liver metastases
• Other metastatic tumors involving the liver

Treatment recommendations depend on the size, number, and location of tumors, liver function, and overall health.

Available Liver Cancer Procedures

Depending on the patient’s condition and treatment objectives, interventional oncology options may include:

• Y-90 Radioembolization (Transarterial Radioembolization)
• Tumor Ablation (microwave, radiofrequency, or cryoablation)
• Bland Embolization
• Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)
• Image-guided biopsy
• Portal vein embolization prior to surgery (when appropriate)

Treatment recommendations are individualized and coordinated with the patient’s multidisciplinary cancer care team.

Benefits of Interventional Oncology

Interventional oncology procedures may offer:

• Precise targeting of liver tumors
• Preservation of healthy liver tissue
• Minimally invasive treatment through a small access site
• Outpatient treatment or short hospital stay for many procedures
• Shorter recovery compared with major surgery
• Ability to complement surgery and systemic cancer therapies
• Personalized treatment planning

For many patients, these procedures expand treatment options while helping maintain quality of life.

What to Expect

Before Treatment:

• Comprehensive review of imaging studies
• Consultation with the interventional radiology team
• Evaluation of liver function and overall health
• Coordination with oncology, hepatology, and surgical specialists
• Development of a personalized treatment plan

During Treatment:

• Image-guided catheter-based or percutaneous procedure
• Local anesthesia with sedation when appropriate
• Continuous imaging and physiologic monitoring
• Procedure time varies depending on the treatment being performed

After Treatment:

• Recovery monitoring
• Same-day discharge or overnight observation depending on the procedure
• Follow-up imaging to evaluate treatment response
• Ongoing coordination with the patient’s cancer care team

Recovery Timeline:

Recovery varies based on the specific procedure performed, but many patients experience:

• Return to light activity within several days
• Mild fatigue or discomfort that improves over time
• Follow-up imaging over the following weeks and months
• Continued monitoring by the oncology team

Who is a Good Candidate

Patients may benefit from interventional oncology procedures if they:

• Have primary liver cancer or tumors that have spread to the liver
• Are not candidates for surgical resection
• Require additional local tumor control
• Need treatment while preserving healthy liver tissue
• Have been referred by their oncology or hepatology team for minimally invasive treatment evaluation

A consultation, imaging review, and assessment of liver function are required to determine candidacy.

Clinical Considerations

Every liver cancer diagnosis is unique. Treatment recommendations depend on:

• Tumor type
• Number and size of tumors
• Tumor location within the liver
• Liver function
• Presence of cirrhosis or other liver disease
• Prior treatments
• Overall health and treatment goals

Interventional oncology procedures are most effective when incorporated into a multidisciplinary treatment plan developed with the patient’s oncology, hepatology, and surgical teams.

How Interventional Oncology Fits Into Liver Cancer Care

Interventional oncology provides highly targeted treatment options that can complement other liver cancer therapies.