Tumor Treatment with Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology is a medical procedure used to treat tumors without surgery. In this treatment, highly targeted treatment is used to destroy cancer cells in the body without the need for traditional surgery. The focused treatment is precisely directed at the tumor, which reduces the impact on surrounding healthy tissues and increases the effectiveness of the treatment. Learn more about the treatment of tumors with interventional radiology.

1. Minimally invasive and non-surgical: Interventional radiology does not require surgery or skin incisions, thus reducing the risks and facilitating recovery.

2. High precision: The treatment directed with extremely high accuracy to the tumor reduces the impact on surrounding healthy tissues and increases the effectiveness of the treatment.

3. Overcoming anatomical barriers: Interventional radiology can treat tumors that are difficult to access surgically or for tumors located near sensitive structures.

4. Possibility of repetition: The treatment dose can be adjusted and directed repeatedly to manage large or advanced tumors.

5. Avoidance of general anesthesia: Interventional radiology is often performed under local anesthesia, which reduces the risks associated with general anesthesia.

1. Liver cancer: Interventional radiology can treat malignant liver tumors or primary liver cancer, where treatment is precisely directed at the tumor to destroy it and control its growth.

2. Lung cancer: Interventional radiology is used in some cases to treat lung tumors, especially in situations where surgery is not possible.

3. Prostate cancer: Interventional radiology can treat prostate cancer. Treatment is precisely directed at the prostate tumor to destroy the cancer cells without affecting the surrounding tissues.

4. Kidney tumors: Interventional radiology treats some kidney tumors, such as malignant or benign tumors that cause troublesome symptoms.

5. Central nervous system tumors: Interventional radiology treats brain and spinal cord tumors, where treatment is precisely directed to destroy them or reduce their size.

The specialized medical team at Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention in Iraq evaluates each case individually to determine if interventional radiology is the most appropriate treatment.

Tumor treatment with interventional radiology is the newest and most advanced branch of interventional radiology, dedicated to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and palliation using minimally invasive procedures performed under imaging guidance by an interventional radiologist.

• Interventional radiology can downsize large tumors, making surgical removal possible.

• The patient's medical condition may not allow for open surgical treatment.

• Interventional therapies can be applied in complex cases requiring effective and diverse forms of treatment, where interventional radiology is used with other therapies to help increase their efficacy. For example, chemotherapy drugs can be administered directly into the arteries, increasing their effectiveness and limiting their side effects on the rest of the body.

The interventional radiology team at Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention in Karbala plays a major role in providing comprehensive care for cancer patients through a diverse array of advanced imaging equipment, including the CT scanner.

Interventional radiologists provide targeted treatment with minimal direct surgical intervention for tumors by inserting a needle directly into the tumor and applying thermal or cryogenic energy to burn or freeze the tumors. They can also directly inject high doses of chemotherapy or radiation directly into the tumor, ultimately reducing recovery time and the likelihood of complications. The procedures are performed at Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention and do not require prolonged hospital stays.

Specialized interventional radiologists perform a variety of image-guided procedures to treat tumors, including:

Arterial embolization is a minimally invasive technique to prevent or stop blood flow in blood vessels. Arterial embolization is particularly useful in treating tumors that depend on blood supply for growth, as well as tumors that are difficult or impossible to remove surgically.

Through a small incision in the skin, a catheter device is inserted into the artery and guided to the target location using live imaging during the procedure. Small particles are then placed to block the blood vessels and prevent blood flow to the tumor, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching it. Arterial embolization is performed while the patient is awake but sedated, and does not require general anesthesia. The recovery time is very short.

Sometimes, the tumor is directly injected with chemotherapy drugs (chemoembolization) or radioactive materials (radioembolization) for more effective treatment. 

This type of treatment can help reduce symptoms for patients with liver cancer. The doctor inserts a catheter into the femoral artery using X-rays to guide the catheter to the arterial branch feeding the tumor, where the chemotherapy is delivered directly to it. Patients may experience short-term, limited side effects such as fever, pain, nausea, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

This treatment treats liver cancer. The doctor inserts a catheter in the groin and uses X-rays to guide it to the hepatic artery, the main artery going into the liver. Radioactive beads are then injected into the artery through the catheter. The beads concentrate in the tumor and surrounding blood vessels, emitting radiation that blocks blood flow to the tumor and kills the cancer cells. Healthy tissues receive very small amounts of radiation.

Interventional radiology offers cancer patients two additional treatment options, as doctors use vascular imaging techniques to access the tumor's blood supply and deliver radiation or chemotherapy directly into the artery feeding the tumor; targeting only the tumor and avoiding damage to surrounding liver or intestinal tissue. In addition, the tumor is also deprived of its blood supply, which enhances the elimination of cancer cells.

During the cooling procedure using a cryotherapy device, the tumor is cooled to temperatures far below freezing, causing the cancer cells to freeze and be destroyed by cutting off their blood supply. Cryotherapy can be used to treat various conditions, including liver cancer and kidney cancer.

During radiofrequency and microwave ablation, radiofrequency or microwave energy is applied directly to the tumor, heating the tissues until they are destroyed. This procedure is commonly used to treat thyroid nodules and liver cancer.

Interventional radiology treatment depends on the patient's condition, tumor type, location, and size. It is best to consult the specialized interventional radiology team at Al Hayat Center for Interventional Radiology and Neurointervention to accurately evaluate the case and determine the best treatment approach.