Vascular and Interventional Radiology for Cancer Care

Our minimally invasive methods help us diagnose and provide specialized treatment for a variety of cancers.

Catheter-based liver cancer treatment

Arteries deliver nutrients and oxygen to all tissues within the body. Tumors usually have larger or more arteries than surrounding normal tissue.

Using an image-guided endovascular procedure, specialists enter an artery at the wrist or groin. Then, they guide wires and catheters (thin tubes) to the liver arteries and deliver the treatment. This procedure is most commonly used to treat liver cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal carcinoma.

There are two main types of transarterial embolization:

  • Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE): During this procedure, the interventional radiologist delivers chemotherapy medications directly to the arteries supplying the tumors.
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  • Transarterial radioembolization (TARE): During this procedure, the interventional radiologist delivers radioactive particles (Yttrium-90/Y90 microspheres) directly to the arteries supplying the tumors. 

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Both techniques deliver focused treatment, preserving as much liver tissue as possible. 

Tumor ablation

Some tumors can be destroyed by applying direct heat or cold to the tissue. During tumor ablation, an interventional radiologist inserts long, thin probes into the tumor using image guidance. The probe tip is heated or cooled, which kills the tumor cells. Specific types of ablation include cryoablation, microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation. 

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Tumor transarterial embolization

Arteries deliver nutrients and oxygen to all tissues within the body. Tumors usually have larger or more arteries than surrounding normal tissue. 

If a tumor needs to be surgically removed, transarterial embolization may be performed before surgery to help reduce bleeding at surgery.

Percutaneous biopsy

In some cases, doctors need to evaluate a sample of tissue or tumor before determining the most effective treatment course. If this is necessary, interventional radiologists perform a percutaneous biopsy.  

During a percutaneous biopsy, interventional radiologists use image-guidance to insert a small needle through the skin into the affected area, such as a liver or kidney tumor. Then, a small sample is collected. Next, pathologists examine the sample to help make a diagnosis. 

Tumor marking (fiducial marking)

Tumor marking, also known as fiducial marking, places small metal markers (or dye) in or near a tumor using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques. These markers/dye help pinpoint the tumor’s location with extreme accuracy. This helps your care team identify that same area at a later time, such as when you go in for surgery or radiation. 

Resources for patients and referring providers

Make an appointment

We require a provider referral to vascular and interventional radiology before scheduling an appointment. Please contact your provider for a referral or visit our website to find a radiologist. 

Refer a patient

Referring patients to UW Medicine’s vascular and interventional radiology department is simple.

Common radiology terminology

Common terminology used by our vascular and interventional radiology (VIR) team.