INTERVENTIONAL ONCOLOGY

1. What is interventional oncology?

Interventional oncology (IO) is a minimally invasive subspecialty of interventional radiology that uses image-guided procedures to diagnose, treat, and manage cancer. IO procedures are often performed using catheters inserted through a small incision in the skin, and they can be used to deliver a variety of treatments, including:

• Tumor ablation: Destroying tumors using heat, cold, or other energy sources
• Transarterial therapies: Delivering chemotherapy or other drugs directly to tumors through the blood vessels
• Percutaneous biopsy: Obtaining tissue samples from tumors for diagnosis or to assess tumor response to treatment
• Palliative care: Relieving cancer-related symptoms, such as pain, bleeding, or obstructions

2. Causes

Cancer is a complex disease with a variety of causes, including genetic mutations, environmental exposures, and lifestyle factors. Some common causes of cancer include:

• Tobacco use
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Radiation exposure
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection
• Hepatitis B and C viruses
• Obesity
• Poor diet
• Lack of physical activity

3. Treatment

Interventional oncology can be used to treat a wide range of cancers, including:

• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Bone cancer
• Soft tissue cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body)

IO treatments can be used as primary cancer treatments, or they can be used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. IO treatments can also be used to treat cancer symptoms and improve quality of life.

Benefits of interventional oncology

Interventional oncology offers a number of benefits over traditional cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy. These benefits include:

• Minimally invasive: IO procedures are typically performed through small incisions in the skin, which results in less pain and scarring.
• Fewer side effects: IO procedures are generally less likely to cause side effects than other cancer treatments.
• Shorter recovery time: Most IO procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, and patients typically recover quickly.
• Preservation of organ function: IO treatments can help to preserve organ function and improve quality of life for patients with cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Conclusion

Interventional oncology is a rapidly growing field of cancer care that offers a number of benefits over traditional cancer treatments. IO procedures are minimally invasive, have fewer side effects, and shorter recovery times. IO treatments can also help to preserve organ function and improve quality of life for patients with advanced cancer.