Interventional oncology treatments can be used for a wide range of cancers, including primary and secondary tumors affecting the liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas and bones.

These therapies are also used to treat colorectal, esophageal and gallbladder cancers, as well as sarcomas and melanomas. Your care team will determine whether interventional oncology is the right approach based on your diagnosis and overall health.

Interventional oncology includes a range of advanced, minimally invasive cancer therapies.

• Ablation (tumor destruction): Heat-based therapies (radiofrequency and microwave ablation) or extreme cold (cryoablation) are used to destroy cancer cells.
• Embolization (cutting off blood supply): Procedures such as chemoembolization and radioembolization (Y-90) deliver chemotherapy or radiation particles directly into a tumor.
• NanoKnife® (irreversible electroporation): High-voltage electrical pulses are used to disrupt and destroy complex tumors, particularly in the pancreas and liver.
• Histotripsy: An incision-free therapy that uses focused sound waves to destroy liver tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissue.

Interventional oncology is integrated into your overall cancer care and works alongside other treatments.

Interventional oncologists collaborate closely with medical, surgical and radiation oncologists. These therapies can be used at nearly any stage of care, including as a primary treatment, to shrink tumors before surgery, to enhance chemotherapy or radiation or to help relieve pain and improve quality of life.

Most interventional oncology procedures are minimally invasive and designed to support a smoother recovery.

Before your procedure, your care team will provide instructions to help you prepare. During treatment, specialists use imaging to guide small instruments, such as needles or catheters, to the treatment area. Procedures are typically performed with sedation or local anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery area for a few hours and can usually go home the same day. Your care team will provide instructions to support your recovery.

Interventional oncology may be an option if surgery is not recommended or if other treatments have not been effective.

These procedures may be appropriate if you have not responded well to other therapies, have experienced side effects from chemotherapy or have tumors that are difficult to reach with traditional surgery. Your care team will perform a detailed evaluation to determine the safest and most effective treatment plan for you.

Minimally invasive procedures can offer several advantages compared to traditional surgery.

Because these treatments are performed through very small incisions, and sometimes without any incision, patients may experience less pain, a lower risk of complications, minimal scarring, shorter hospital stays and a faster return to daily activities.