Interventional radiology in the palliation of cancer

Abstract

Interventional radiology uses image guidance to perform minimally invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. It is an integral part of the multidisciplinary team managing patients with cancer. Interventional radiology is involved in all stages of the cancer patient’s journey starting from performing image-guided biopsies for the diagnosis of cancer, venous access procedures, and therapeutic procedures, and focuses on the palliation of symptoms and improvement in the quality of life. All interventional procedures carry some risk, which is related to the underlying condition, the nature of the procedure, and the experience of the radiologist. Therefore, it is important in patients with advanced malignant disease receiving palliative care to contemplate only those procedures that will alleviate symptoms, and in which the potential benefits outweigh the risks. This chapter presents the drainage, stenting, feeding, embolization, ablation, and supportive interventional radiology procedures which could potentially benefit patients undergoing palliative care. The focus will be on the indications, contraindications, and likely outcomes, rather than on detailed technical descriptions.