The Interventional Radiology & Imaging Department at City of Hope® Cancer Center Atlanta uses sophisticated, minimally invasive diagnostic technology to detect cancer cells with precision and accuracy. This helps us develop a targeted cancer treatment plan for each patient.
The Interventional Radiology Department performs biopsies, treats tumors and manages other symptoms, using techniques designed to cause fewer side effects and complications than traditional surgery. We use minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cancer, as well as to alleviate a variety of symptoms that may result from cancer treatment.
At City of Hope Atlanta, we evaluate your medical history and conduct comprehensive diagnostic testing to make treatment recommendations for your type and stage of cancer, as well as your individual and lifestyle needs.
When you visit our Atlanta hospital for your initial evaluation, we will complete an array of diagnostic tests to locate and stage your disease. Then, using this information, your care team will work with you and your caregivers to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for your stage and type of cancer.
We understand that waiting for test results can be stressful. At City of Hope Atlanta, we strive to have your test results available to your physician within hours.
Your entire care team has instant access to the results, allowing them to quickly and seamlessly coordinate care. Throughout your treatment, we will use a range of tools to track the disease and modify your treatment plan based on your response, when necessary.
The following are just some of the imaging tools available at our Georgia cancer hospital:
Our priority is to treat you with the least invasive treatments available for your cancer type. Common procedures in interventional radiology include:
Needle-ablation procedures: These minimally invasive treatments use image-guided needles to destroy tumors. Ablation may be used to treat tumors or alleviate symptoms. Examples of ablation procedures we may perform include microwave ablation, cryoablation and irreversible electroporation.
Liver-directed therapy: This minimally invasive procedure delivers therapeutic particles via a catheter to destroy tumors in the liver. Examples of the particles used include bland embolization, chemo-embolization, drug-eluting bead chemoembolization and radioembolization.
Drainage catheters: Catheters are used to relieve obstructions in the biliary tree (the ducts that drain the liver) and in the urinary tract (the kidney and ureters). The catheters may also be used to relieve postoperative fluid collections.
Port and PICC line placement: Many patients are given temporary ports and PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines to reduce the number of needle sticks during chemotherapy treatment or diagnostic blood work.
The Interventional Radiology and Imaging Services Department strives to deliver high-quality, accurate diagnostics in a timely manner. Our technologists have earned advanced-level certifications in their area of expertise.
The interventional radiology team works closely with your entire care team. Your personal team of doctors, cancer experts and supportive care clinicians share information throughout your journey to help empower and support you. We’ll work closely with your oncologist to help make your experience as seamless as possible from the start.
You may choose to receive supportive care services, such as nutrition, naturopathic support and mind-body medicine, before, during or after an interventional radiology procedure. Many patients use these treatments to manage side effects and enjoy a better quality of life during cancer treatment.
At our hospital, we strive to reduce wait times for test results or treatments and help you understand the care you’re receiving.
The Interventional Radiology and Imaging Services Department at City of Hope Atlanta includes board-certified diagnostic radiologists and board-certified, fellowship-trained interventional radiologists. The department also includes technologists registered in their specialties (e.g., ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear medicine), as well as interventional radiology-trained nurses.
In addition to the services listed above, our department also offers these services:
In April 2015, the American College of Radiology (ACR) designated our Atlanta hospital as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. The designation means our breast center meets the requirements of ACR’s voluntary breast imaging accreditation programs and modules, as well as its mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program. Our breast imaging services are now fully accredited in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy.
Peer-review evaluations, conducted in each breast imaging modality by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, have determined that this facility has achieved high practice standards in image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality-assurance programs.
