Introduction

Article Outline

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The utilization of varied image-guided percutaneous techniques for oncologic applications has increased tremendously. Advanced imaging interpretation and technical skill synergy possessed by interventional radiologists have positioned them at the forefront in the development and implementation of these complex tumorcidal therapies.

Ablative therapies have been used routinely in the liver for more than a decade. In recent years, lessons learned and outcomes realized in the hepatic arena have allowed the application of ablative therapies such as radiofrequency, cryotherapy, and microwave for various nonhepatic tumors. These therapies were initially reserved for nonoperative patients harboring resectable disease (eg, early-stage lung cancer) or for patients who required pain palliation refractory to other traditional treatment modalities. Data from recent clinical trials have confirmed that these ablative therapies represent viable alternatives or complementary treatments for a variety of clinical scenarios in the oncology population. The indications for the use of thermal ablative therapies are continuing to expand and offer hope to many patients with limited treatment options.

This issue of Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology is the second of a two-part series on interventional oncology that focuses primarily on technical considerations and patient selection, and secondarily on the results of these therapies for patients with nonhepatic malignancy. In this issue, known experts in the field provide detailed and comprehensive information on the “state of the art” of various standalone or combinatorial percutaneous image-guided therapies for patients with lung, renal, bone, and prostate cancer. In addition, important topics such as percutaneous image-guided biopsy used in the diagnosis and staging of cancer and the use of technological advances such as interventional MR to assist with guiding needle placement and intraprocedural monitoring of various ablative therapies for tumors will be reviewed. Furthermore, a new transcatheter approach to treat unresectable lung tumors called “transpulmonary chemoembolization” will be described by the authors who originally reported this technique.

I would like to thank all the authors for their insightful and outstanding contributions to this important and timely issue of Techniques in Vascular and Interventional Radiology.