Using Imaging Equipment to Treat Cancer
Physicians at Manatee Memorial Hospital treat most cancers with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or some combination of these treatments. Interventional radiologists often work with oncologists to perform the following minimally invasive procedures using imaging equipment to treat many cancer patients.
Needle Biopsy
Many cancers are now diagnosed by a needle biopsy. During this procedure, interventional radiologists use imaging techniques, such as CT, X-ray, ultrasound or MRI, to remove a small amount of tissue from a tumor to determine if cancer cells are present. Needle biopsies are an alternative to conventional surgical biopsy procedures and can be less painful and result in shorter recovery times.
Tumor Ablation
Tumor ablation involves interventional techniques that apply heat, cold or chemicals to destroy a tumor. During this procedure, doctors use imaging from a CT scanner or ultrasound machine to help them insert a small needle-type probe through the skin and precisely into the tumor.
Relief of Obstructions
Interventional radiologists use imaging techniques to determine where cancers have obstructed the normal flow of urine or bile. Such obstructions can cause pain, infection or even liver or kidney failure.
While watching images on a screen, doctors insert a catheter into the obstructed area to drain excess fluids. A stent might also be inserted into the organ to bypass the obstruction and permit fluids to drain normally.