Interventional Oncology ?

[N-transition]

I was wondering if there is such a thing called" Interventional Oncology". If it existed I suppose it would be the use of catheters to deliver meds to tumor sites. Or even radiation or laser engergy to tumor sites. Any insight/info is appreciated.

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[bustbones26]

There is a field called radiation oncology. They specialize in planning radiaiton therapy, brachytherapy, and do some interventional stuff. Much different than an oncologist.

If you want to be an oncologist, have to do 3 years of internal medicine and then 3 years of fellowship in hematology/oncology.

Want to be a radiaiton oncologist, you do a startight five year residency in radiation oncology. Radiation oncology is very very competitive though!! Fora few reasons, first, there are not many residency spots for this, and also, it is one of the specialties where you can make a decent bit of money and have a good lifestyle. Unfortunately, right now in the world of medicine, if there is ANY field where you can either make lots of money, have a good lifestyle, or better yet, both, you have to be very competitive to get a spot, rad/onc is just one of these fields.

 

[Whisker Barrel Cortex]

Interventional radiologists currently do the focused chemotherapy and nuclear medicine therapy to lesions such as liver mets. These are highly technically demanding procedures, oftentimes involving superselective catheterization of hepatic vasculature, corrolation with CT studies, and a very in depth knowledge of angiography in general. It would take a great deal of dedicated training in this field for an oncologist to become proficient at these, especially since they have no angiographic or interventional training at all. As opposed to cardiac catheterization, in which the anatomy is relatively predictable, vascular approach is straightforward, and the anatomy has minimal variation, much of hepatic angio is difficult to traverse, even for skilled interventional radiologists.

Other forms of interventional procedures for cancer involve radiofrequency abalation and cryoablation, both of which rely heavily on ultrasound and CT knowledge. These might be somewhat more technically straightforward. However, intensive training in CT and ultrasound would be needed to ensure appropriate treatment.

As for the other procedures as described by the post above, these are done by rad oncs.

 

[pikachu]

the only procedures most med oncs do are bone marrow biopsy and intrathecal chemo. most other procedures in oncology are done by surgeons, IR, or Rad Onc.