Overview

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

For patients with soft tissue and bone tumors, these therapies provide highly targeted treatment options that can destroy or control tumors while preserving surrounding muscles, bones, nerves, joints, and other critical structures. Interventional oncology procedures may be used as an alternative to surgery in select patients or alongside surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other cancer treatments as part of a comprehensive care plan.

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

Available Soft Tissue & Bone Tumor Procedures

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

• Tumor Ablation (microwave, radiofrequency, or cryoablation)
• Image-guided biopsy
• Tumor-directed embolization procedures
• Pre-operative embolization to reduce blood flow before surgery
• Bone cement augmentation for selected tumors involving the spine or other bones
• Pain-management interventions for tumor-related symptoms

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 tumors
• Preservation of surrounding muscles, joints, nerves, and 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, and systemic cancer treatments
• Personalized treatment planning

For many patients, these procedures expand treatment options while helping preserve mobility, function, and quality of life.

What to Expect

Before Treatment:

• Comprehensive review of imaging studies
• Consultation with the interventional radiology team
• Evaluation of the tumor and overall health
• Coordination with orthopedic oncology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology 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
• Progressive improvement in symptoms over the following weeks
• Follow-up imaging to monitor treatment response
• Continued coordination with oncology and orthopedic specialists

Who is a Good Candidate

Patients may benefit from interventional oncology procedures if they:

• Have a benign or malignant soft tissue or bone tumor requiring treatment
• Are not ideal candidates for surgery
• Require additional local tumor control
• Have painful tumors affecting mobility or quality of life
• Need treatment while preserving surrounding anatomy and function
• Have been referred by their oncology or orthopedic care team for minimally invasive treatment evaluation

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

Clinical Considerations

Every soft tissue and bone tumor is unique. Treatment recommendations depend on:

• Tumor type and pathology
• Tumor size and location
• Relationship to nearby muscles, joints, nerves, and blood vessels
• Benign versus malignant characteristics
• 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 orthopedic oncology, surgical oncology, and medical oncology teams.

How Interventional Oncology Fits into Soft Tissue & Bone Tumor Care

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