Interventional Radiology Program at OhioHealth
Minimally invasive techniques for cancer patients
Our interventional radiologists use medical images to diagnose, treat and cure many conditions — including cancer — through minimally invasive techniques.
Get in touch with a cancer specialist who can answer your questions about screenings and help you schedule one close to home. Contact us Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM at (614) 340-7741.
Get back to your daily activities sooner
The use of advanced imaging technology allows our surgeons to perform procedures through small incisions. This typically allows for a quicker recovery time, lower risk and less pain.
- Tumor Treatment
Ablation: A probe is used to administer extreme temperatures of hot or cold to “burn” or “freeze” the tumor. Imaging is used to position the probe within the tumor. The physician may refer to it as microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation or cryoablation.
Biopsy: A needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue under imaging guidance and processed by pathology for a diagnosis.
Embolization: Very small beads are used to either stop the blood flow to a tumor or used before surgery to decrease blood loss while removing the tumor. Beads can be loaded with radiation or chemotherapy and used to shrink the tumor.
- Drainage
Ascites: Ascites is a buildup of excess fluid within the abdomen. A needle is inserted into the abdomen to drain the excess fluid through a procedure called paracentesis.
Effusion: Pleural effusion is a buildup of excess fluid around the lungs. A needle is inserted into the chest to drain the excess fluid from around the lungs. This procedure is called a thoracentesis.
Catheters: Some cancers may result in fluid buildup in the abdomen or in the chest. For recurrent fluid, indwelling catheters may be placed to help drain fluid in the comfort of home or under the care of home health nurses.
- Venous Access
Port or Groshong line placement: Chemotherapy treatment or blood work may require multiple needle sticks. A Mediport (implanted venous access device) or Groshong (tunneled venous catheter) may be inserted to decrease the number of needle sticks for a patient or to allow for medication infusions.
- Pain Management
Pain may either be a side effect or may be caused directly by cancer. When medication therapy is not effective, minimally invasive nerve blocks can be offered to decrease pain levels. Examples include celiac plexus block and spinal blocks. For cancer that involves the spine, ablation with cement injection can be used to stabilize the vertebrae.
Nerve Block: A numbing medication with or without steroid is injected around a specific nerve responsible for pain sensation.
Ablation: The part of the nerve that is causing pain is destroyed with the use of heat, cold or chemicals.
Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty: Vertebral augmentation is a special procedure in which medical-grade cement is injected into a fractured vertebra to relieve pain and restore mobility.