ADVERTORIAL Interventional Radiology at Washington Regional: MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR PATIENTS WITH CANCER
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Interventional radiology, sometimes called IR, is a medical specialty many people may not be familiar with. But for those living with a cancer diagnosis, IR procedures are often used in treatment. IR uses imaging such as X-ray, CT or ultrasound to see inside the body and guide minimally invasive procedures. These procedures are used to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions, including kidney and liver cancer.
Dr. Scott Fleck, an interventional radiologist at Washington Regional Medical Center, says that Washington Regional has offered interventional radiology services for more than 30 years and procedures are performed in Washington Regional’ s two dedicated interventional radiology suites. The interventional radiologist creates a small opening to access a blood vessel, commonly in the patient’ s groin, wrist or neck. A small tube called a sheath is then inserted into the blood vessel, and, depending on the type of procedure being done, a needle, thin wire or flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into the sheath.“ We then use imaging equipment to view the inside of the patient’ s body on a screen and direct the specialized instruments, medications or devices to the appropriate area of the body,” says Fleck. Interventional radiology treatments and procedures for patients with cancer include:
• ABLATION: Uses extreme heat or cold to shrink or destroy a tumor without affecting surrounding tissue.
• BIOPSY: Allows a tissue sample to be collected using a small needle so the tissue can be examined for cancer.
• CHEMOEMBOLIZATION: Delivers cancer treatment or medication directly to a tumor, commonly in the liver.
• CHEMO PORT: Places a small, implantable device that attaches to a vein, usually in the upper chest. The port allows providers to draw blood samples and deliver chemotherapy without a needle stick.
• Y-90 RADIOEMBOLIZATION: Minimally invasive procedure used to treat liver tumors. Tiny radioactive beads are injected into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, delivering a dose of radiation that can slow or stop the tumor’ s growth. Interventional radiology procedures typically offer a short recovery time, according to Fleck.“ Most interventional radiology procedures are done with local anesthetic or mild sedation, which have fewer risks than general anesthesia,” he said.“ Since there is only a very small opening instead of a large incision, patients have less pain and little to no recovery time, and most IR procedures are outpatient, which means patients get go home the same day.”
In addition to cancer treatment, interventional radiology procedures are done for many reasons such as:
• To dissolve or physically remove dangerous blood clots
• To improve dialysis access by
� Dr. Scott Fleck, proforming a procedure at Washington Regional Medical Center. � Dr. Fredrik Balldin and Dr. Scott Fleck, an interventional radiologist at Washington Regional Medical Center.
creating a fistula to form stronger veins in patients on dialysis
• To stop internal bleeding, often in trauma patients
• To treat liver disease
• To treat uterine fibroids, avoiding the need for a hysterectomy
• To place stents to restore flow to blocked vessels or ducts If you would like to know more about how interventional radiology may help you or a loved one, talk with your doctor to learn if interventional radiology is right for your condition. To learn more about interventional radiology services at Washington Regional, visit wregional. com / IR.
OURHEALTHNWA. COM 14 SEPTEMBER 2025 | CANCER CARE TAKES A TEAM ISSUE