Interventional oncology: A primer for clinicians on the role of ablation and embolization for solid tumors

M Mohamed E. Abdelsalam (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) K Kamran Ahrar (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) R Rahul A. Sheth (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) K Ketan Y. Shah (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) S Steven Yevich (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) V Varshana Gurusamy (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) B Bruno C. Odisio (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) A Alda L. Tam (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) A Armeen Mahvash (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA) P Peiman Habibollahi (Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA)

Abstract

Abstract Interventional radiology (IR) is a rapidly evolving medical field that combines advanced imaging with minimally invasive techniques for both diagnosis and treatment. Interventional oncology (IO), a subspecialty of IR, focuses on the minimally invasive, image‐guided intervention for cancer and cancer‐related conditions. IR plays an important and increasingly recognized role within the multidisciplinary care of patients with cancer, contributing meaningfully to diagnosis, therapy, and palliation. IO therapies, particularly tumor ablation and transarterial embolization, aim to target tumors directly while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. These therapies are increasingly supported by clinical guidelines and have shown favorable outcomes in cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and metastatic colorectal cancer. This review focuses on the role of minimally invasive, image‐guided, locoregional IR therapies for patients who have cancer.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 76, Issue 1
Published January 01, 2026
ISSN 0007-9235
Publisher Wiley

Journal Info

CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians

Wiley

ISSN: 0007-9235 Open Access Q1 Medicine

Authors (10)

M

Mohamed E. Abdelsalam

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

K

Kamran Ahrar

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

R

Rahul A. Sheth

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

K

Ketan Y. Shah

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

S

Steven Yevich

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

V

Varshana Gurusamy

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

B

Bruno C. Odisio

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

A

Alda L. Tam

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

A

Armeen Mahvash

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA

P

Peiman Habibollahi

Department of Interventional Radiology The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston Texas USA