Cancer treatment has advanced significantly over the years, with numerous techniques available to help fight the disease. Among the most innovative and minimally invasive approaches is Interventional Radiology (IR). This medical specialty uses advanced imaging, such as X-rays, ultrasound and CT scans to guide doctors in performing procedures that can compliment current cancer treatments. Let’s explore how treatments offered at Holistic Imaging Geelong play a crucial role in cancer treatment.
Central line placement
For cancer patients undergoing treatments like chemotherapy, having easy access to veins can be a challenge, especially with repeated treatments. This is where a central line comes in. It is a catheter (a small tube) inserted into a large vein, often near the chest, that makes it easier to administer chemotherapy drugs, fluids, and take blood samples.
Interventional radiologists use imaging technology to precisely place the central line with minimal discomfort and risk to the patient. Having a central line in place ensures that treatments can be delivered safely and efficiently, reducing the stress and discomfort that comes with repeated needle sticks.
Intrathecal Chemotherapy: Targeting cancer cells in the Brain and Spinal Cord
Intrathecal chemotherapy is a specialised cancer treatment where chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This method is particularly effective for targeting cancer cells that have spread to the central nervous system, such as in certain cases of leukaemia and lymphoma.
Interventional radiologists play a key role in this procedure by using imaging to guide the precise placement of the catheter that delivers the medication. This direct approach helps ensure that the chemotherapy reaches the areas where it is needed most, while minimising damage to the rest of the body. By targeting the brain and spinal cord directly, intrathecal chemotherapy can be much more effective in treating cancers that have spread to these hard-to-reach areas.
Ablation: Destroying cancer cells with heat or cold
Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure used to destroy tumours without the need for major surgery. There are different types of ablation, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation. In both methods, an interventional radiologist uses imaging guidance to insert a thin antennae into the tumour. Radiofrequency ablation uses heat, while cryoablation uses extreme cold to destroy the cancerous cells.
Ablation is particularly useful for treating tumours that are small or in difficult-to-reach areas. It offers a quicker recovery time, less pain, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery, making it a valuable option for patients who may not be candidates for more invasive procedures.
Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolisation: Targeting liver cancer
Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) is a minimally invasive procedure offered in Geelong to treat certain types of liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal metastasis.
During the TACE procedure, the interventional radiologist guides a catheter into the artery that supplies blood to the tumour. Once in position, the chemotherapy drugs are released directly into the tumour while simultaneously blocking the blood flow to it. This “double whammy” of chemotherapy and blood supply blockage helps to starve the tumour and enhance the effectiveness of the drugs.
TACE can help control the growth of liver cancer and, in some cases, shrink the tumour enough for surgery or other treatments. It is a powerful tool in the fight against liver cancer and a key part of interventional radiology’s arsenal.
A game-changer in cancer care
Interventional radiology is transforming the way we treat cancer. By offering less invasive options like central line placement, intrathecal chemotherapy, ablation, and TACE, it not only improves treatment effectiveness but also reduces recovery times, side effects, and the overall impact on patients’ lives. As technology advances, interventional radiology will continue to play an important role in providing cancer patients with new, less invasive treatment options that improve both outcomes and quality of life.