Interventional Radiology

Our interventional radiologists provide therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for cancerous and noncancerous conditions affecting every area of the body except the head and heart. Treatments for head and heart conditions are provided by interventional neurologists and interventional cardiologists, respectively.

The region’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, The University of Kansas Cancer Center offers today’s most innovative minimally invasive therapies that result in less pain and faster recovery times.

Advanced imaging technology allows for more precise, targeted administration of cancer drugs, ensuring the medication is delivered where it is needed most and minimizing the effects on healthy organs.

Interventional radiology uses a catheter, a small flexible tube inserted in an artery, usually in the thigh, to provide minimally invasive therapies such as microwave ablation tissue removal. Advanced imaging, including X-ray, CT-MRI and ultrasound, help interventional radiologists guide the catheter to the affected area of the body.

Our interventional radiologists work with doctors from every specialty. Patients benefit from the expertise of a multidisciplinary team that provides care for conditions such as:

• Cancerous and noncancerous bone cysts and lesions
• Cancer of the colon, kidney, liver, lungs and bone
• Melanoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Breast cancer
• Bladder cancer

An interventional radiologist will insert a small, flexible catheter into an artery, often in the thigh, to deliver minimal invasive therapies such as:

Because interventional radiology is a minimally invasive treatment that uses a small incision, it often offers safer and more effective outcomes over traditional surgery. Some benefits of interventional radiology include:

• Less pain
• Minimized risk
• Faster recovery

While there is always a risk with any medical procedure, risks associated with interventional radiology are minimal. General risks include bleeding or possible infection. Other risks depend on the specific interventional radiology procedure you require.

Before your procedure, you can expect lab tests and some preprocedure instructions, such as fasting or stopping current medications. Most interventional radiology procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and you will be able to return home the same day.

You may receive injections of dye, medication or sedation once on the procedure table. A small incision allows the radiologist to guide a wire and catheter through the blood vessel to the desired treatment area. What happens after that depends on the type of treatment you are receiving. How long the procedure takes also depends on the type of treatment. Once complete, you will proceed to recovery before being released with discharge instructions.

Although we treat noncancerous conditions, we specialize in advanced treatment for liver, kidney and colon cancer. The 3 main pillars of cancer care are medical oncology, surgical oncology and radiation oncology. Originally, interventional radiology was considered the therapy of last resort or “salvage therapy.” With advances in technology, interventional radiology is safer and more effective than traditional surgery for many conditions. Today it’s the gold standard or 4th pillar of cancer care.

Our fellowship-trained interventional radiologists are board-certified by the American Board of Radiology and have earned a certificate of additional qualification. This means they have completed extensive, elective education and training in the field of interventional radiology.

Our interventional radiologists also participate in cancer center tumor board meetings. These regular conferences allow specialists from multiple disciplines to collaborate and discuss difficult cancer cases. This facilitates treatment planning and helps physicians determine therapies offering potentially better outcomes.

As an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, The University of Kansas Cancer Center offers the most innovative minimally invasive therapies that result in less pain and shorter recovery times for you.