Interventional radiology at HCA UK

Interventional radiology uses specialist imaging and minimally invasive surgical techniques to diagnose and treat cancer. Using imaging technology such as X-ray, CT or MRI, our experts can guide procedures with precision, often through very small incisions.

Interventional radiology may be recommended for several reasons, including:

• Diagnosis: Specialist scans and image guided procedures can be used to help diagnose cancer.
• Treatment: Interventional radiology is a minimally invasive treatment option, and in some cases can avoid the need for more invasive treatment, such as open surgery.
• Pain management: Interventional radiology techniques can be used to relieve cancer-related pain.
• Symptom management: In addition to treating the cancer itself, interventional radiology can help manage symptoms caused by cancer or its treatment.

At HCA UK we have a range of specialist techniques available, all delivered by our highly skilled team of consultant interventional radiologists.

Most interventional radiology procedures require incisions, but they are usually very small, usually just a few millimetres in size. These small incisions allow our specialists to insert catheters (thin tubes) or needles to precisely guide your treatment using detailed imaging, such as CT scans, ultrasound or X-ray. 

Many procedures are completed within a few hours and, in some cases, you may able to return home the same day. Throughout the procedure, you’ll be supported by a dedicated clinical team who will ensure you remain as comfortable as possible.

Interventional radiology offers a minimally invasive approach to cancer treatment, which often means shorter recovery times and less pain and discomfort compared with traditional open surgery. By using small incisions and advanced imaging guidance, our specialists are able to treat targeted areas with precision while minimising impact on surrounding healthy tissue. Many procedures can be completed as day cases. 

In addition, at HCA UK your procedure will be delivered by experienced teams using state-of-the-art technology, with personalised care carefully planned around your specific needs.

Recovery after interventional radiology is often quicker than with traditional open surgery. Because these procedures use small incisions and image-guided techniques, recovery is often quicker.

Recovery times will vary depending on the type of procedure and your individual circumstances:

• Same-day procedures - Many diagnostic procedures and simpler treatments allow you to return home the same day, usually after a short period of rest and monitoring.
• Short hospital stays - Some treatments may require an overnight stay, or one to two days in hospital. This is to allow for monitoring and pain management.
• Returning to normal activities - Most people can resume light activities within a few days and gradually return to their usual routine within one to two weeks. It’s important to remember that this is a guide not a rule, and times can vary.

We’ll provide you with personalised recovery guidance based on your treatment, and continue to support you with follow-up appointments, imaging where appropriate and guidance to support your recovery.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer your clinical team may recommend interventional radiology as part of your personalised treatment and care plan. The type of interventional radiology recommended will depend on your individual diagnosis, including the type and stage of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with.

While interventional radiology may be the only treatment recommended by your clinical team, or it may form part of a wider treatment plan alongside other therapies. Our clinical oncologists, surgeons and other cancer experts work together in expert multidisciplinary teams to plan your care, making sure you have the most appropriate treatment options based on your individual diagnosis.

Tumour ablation works by applying heat or cold directly to a tumour to destroy cancer cells. These techniques are carefully guided using advanced imaging, helping to target the tumour while minimising impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Tumour ablation techniques include:

• Cryoablation: Cryoablation treats cancerous tissue using extremely cold temperatures. Needles are guided into the treatment area with the help of imaging guidance, and gas circulating through the probes creates extremely low temperatures that freeze and destroy cancer cells. This focused treatment helps minimise damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): RFA uses heat generated by radiofrequency electrical energy to destroy cancer cells. During the procedure, a probe called an electrode is guided into the tumour, where it delivers a carefully controlled electrical current that heats and destroys the cancer cells.

Embolisation works by blocking a tumour’s blood supply, causing it to shrink or slow its growth. This technique is commonly used to treat liver cancer as well as other tumours that receive their blood supply from specific arteries.

TACE combines two treatment approaches. First, a high dose of chemotherapy is delivered directly to tumours in the liver. Embolisation is then used to reduce the tumour’s blood supply, helping to slow or stop its growth.

Radioembolisation, also known as Selective Internal Radiotherapy (SIRT) or Transarterial Radioembolisation (TARE), combines embolisation with radiation therapy.

During the procedure, tiny radioactive microspheres are injected into the blood vessels that feed the tumour. These microspheres become lodged in the small vessels in and around the tumour, helping to block its blood supply while delivering targeted radiation directly to the cancer cells. Because the treatment is highly focused, it has limited impact on surrounding healthy tissue.

Chemosaturation allows us to deliver a high concentration of chemotherapy directly to the liver, while minimising exposure to the rest of the body.

To do this, your team will temporarily isolate the liver’s blood supply using specialised catheters to control blood flow. Once isolated, they can then deliver a high dose of chemotherapy directly to the liver. Blood leaving the liver is then filtered to remove most of the chemotherapy before it’s returned to the bloodstream, helping to limit exposure to the rest of the body.

Because the chemotherapy saturates the entire liver, it can target both visible tumours and any that are too small to detect on imaging.