Interventional radiology

Tumour ablation works by applying heat or cold directly to the tumour to destroy cancer cells. Tumour ablation techniques include:

• Cryoblation: Cryoablation is a technique that treats cancerous tissue using cold temperatures. Needles are guided into the treatment area using image guidance, where a mixture of gases are used to freeze the tips of the needles and to destroy the cancer cells. Most of the normal tissue surrounding the tumour remains undamaged, as the extremely low temperature only travels a small distance within the body.
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): RFA is a type of treatment used to heat and destroy cancer cells using a radiofrequency electric current or microwaves. During this procedure, a probe called an electrode applies an electrical current (radiofrequency) to the tumour. The current heats the cancer cells to a high temperature, which destroys them.

Embolisation works by blocking a tumours blood supply, causing it to shrink, or preventing further growth. This technique is commonly used to treat liver cancer and other tumours that receive their blood supply from specific arteries.

TACE is a combination of two treatments. Firstly a high dose of chemotherapy is delivered directly to tumours in the liver. Then, using the embolisation technique, an injection is used to reduce the tumours blood supply and slow and prevent its growth.

Radioembolisation, also called Selective Internal Radiotherapy (SIRT) or Trans Arterial Radioembolisation (TARE), combines two techniques: embolisation (blocking a tumours blood supply) and radiation therapy.

Radioembolisation works by injecting tiny radioactive microspheres into the blood vessels that feed the tumour. These microspheres lodge in the small blood vessels within and around the tumour, blocking its blood flow. This cuts off the tumour’s nutrient and oxygen supply, which can help shrink it. Once in place, the radioactive microspheres then deliver radiation directly to the cancer cells to destroy them. Because this is a highly targeted treatment it has a minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Chemosaturation is a way of delivering high concentration chemotherapy directly to the liver, whilst avoiding the rest of the body, and minimising side-effects.

This is achieved by temporarily isolating the blood supply to the liver from the rest of the body, using special catheters (thin tubes) to control the blood flow. Once the liver’s blood supply is isolated, a high dose of chemotherapy is delivered directly to the area. The blood from the liver is then filtered to remove most of the chemotherapy drugs before it is returned to the bloodstream, minimising the exposure of chemotherapy to the rest of the body.