Overview

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

For patients with cancers not specifically highlighted elsewhere on our website, these therapies may provide highly targeted treatment options that destroy tumors, reduce symptoms, or complement surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and other cancer treatments.

Because every cancer diagnosis is unique, treatment recommendations are based on the location, size, biology, and behavior of the tumor—not simply the name of the cancer.

ELMNT IR works closely with medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and referring physicians to develop individualized treatment plans as part of a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to cancer care.

Available Procedures

Depending on the type of cancer, tumor location, and treatment goals, interventional oncology options may include:

• Tumor Ablation (microwave, radiofrequency, or cryoablation)
• Tumor-directed embolization procedures
• Image-guided biopsy
• Pre-operative embolization when appropriate
• Palliative procedures to relieve cancer-related symptoms
• Other minimally invasive image-guided therapies

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

Benefits of Interventional Oncology

Interventional oncology procedures may offer:

• Precise targeting of tumors
• Preservation of surrounding healthy tissue
• Minimally invasive treatment through a small access site
• Outpatient treatment or short hospital stay for many procedures
• Shorter recovery compared with traditional surgery
• Ability to complement surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapies
• Personalized treatment planning

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

What to Expect

Before Treatment:

• Comprehensive review of imaging studies
• Consultation with the interventional radiology team
• Evaluation of your diagnosis, overall health, and treatment goals
• Coordination with your oncology specialists and referring physician
• 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 your oncology 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 gradually improves
• Follow-up imaging over the following weeks and months
• Continued monitoring and coordination with their oncology team

Who is a Good Candidate

Patients may benefit from interventional oncology procedures if they:

• Have a cancer not specifically featured elsewhere on our website
• Have primary or metastatic tumors that may benefit from image-guided treatment
• Are not candidates for surgery or wish to explore less invasive options
• Require additional local tumor control
• Need treatment to relieve cancer-related symptoms
• Have been referred by their oncology team for evaluation

A consultation, imaging review, and comprehensive medical evaluation are required to determine candidacy.

Clinical Considerations

Every cancer diagnosis is different. Treatment recommendations depend on:

• Tumor type and biology
• Tumor size and location
• Disease stage
• Prior treatments
• Overall health
• Individual treatment goals

Interventional oncology procedures are most effective when incorporated into a multidisciplinary treatment plan developed with the patient’s oncology team. Not every cancer requires image-guided intervention, and treatment recommendations are tailored to each patient’s unique clinical situation.

How Interventional Oncology Fits into Cancer Care

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