Interventional Radiology Procedures

A bronchoscopy is a medical test that uses a flexible or rigid bronchoscope (thin tube) to look at the inside of your lungs and airway.

Chemoembolization is a palliative treatment for tumors found in the liver. This can be a tumor that started in the liver (primary liver cancer or hepatoma) or a liver tumor that has metastasized (spread) from another area of the body. These tumors often cannot be destroyed by chemotherapy given into the veins, radiation or surgery.

Y-90 radioembolization is a procedure that combines embolization (cutting off blood supply) and internal radiation therapy.

People with cancer can be at a higher risk of blood clots and an IVC filter may be placed. This article explains more about IVC filters and how they are placed.

A buildup of fluid in your abdomen (belly) is called ascites and can cause discomfort. This fluid can be drained using an intraperitoneal drain (IP drain). This drain is often placed in interventional radiology (IR).

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure done by interventional radiologists that use heat to destroy tumor cells. It affects only the tumor and not the surrounding tissues and is used in tumors that cannot be destroyed by radiation, surgery or chemotherapy.

TIPS is a shunt used to decrease the pressure in the veins of the stomach and esophagus, which can become enlarged (called "varices") and can cause life threatening bleeding.

This article provides an overview of biliary stents which are used in the treatment of liver, gallbladder, and other GI cancers.

A nephrostomy tube is a tube placed into your kidney that is attached to a bag outside of your body. It is used to drain and collect urine when the ureter is blocked.