Each year, more than one million Americans receive a cancer diagnosis. If you or a loved one is living with cancer, it’s essential to seek prompt intervention. The sooner you undergo treatment, the greater likelihood of a positive outcome. At Imaging & Interventional Specialists in El Paso, Texas, Gethin Williams MD, PhD, and the team provide minimally invasive, pin-hole procedures for cancer, including cryoablation, thermal ablation, and embolization. To schedule an appointment, call the office, or book a consultation online today.
Cancer is a group of diseases that cause abnormal cells to develop and multiply. Over time, cancer cells divide uncontrollably, infiltrating and destroying healthy tissue. Cancer is serious and potentially life-threatening. However, thanks to advances in treatment and screening, survival rates improve each year.
Cancer can occur almost anywhere in the body. The team at Imaging & Interventional Specialists treats various types of cancer, including:
The team also treats cancers in soft tissues, including angiosarcoma, liposarcoma, and epithelioid sarcoma.
The symptoms of cancer depend on the area of the body affected. Signs to watch out for include:
As cancer progresses, you might also experience persistent joint or musculoskeletal pain that doesn’t improve with rest or over-the-counter painkillers.
The best and most effective way to diagnose cancer is through preventive screening. When detected early on, cancer is much more responsive to treatment. The type of screening that’s right for you depends on your age, gender, and health history. The team at Imaging & Interventional Specialists can make recommendations that align with your needs.
Aside from screening, the team at Imaging & Interventional Specialists diagnoses cancer by conducting a physical exam and asking about your symptoms and lifestyle. They also order urine and blood tests, imaging tests, and, if necessary, biopsy. Biopsy collects a sample of cells for further evaluation.
Cancer treatment varies depending on the type, location, and severity. When possible, the team at Imaging & Interventional Specialists uses pin-hole, minimally invasive procedures. These techniques allow for quick recovery and fewer risks and complications. Your provider might recommend:
Cryoablation is a minimally invasive treatment that kills cancer cells with extreme cold. During cryoablation, your provider inserts a needle through your skin and into a cancerous tumor. They pump gas through the needle, freezing the tissue and causing it to die.
Thermal ablation is similar to cryoablation; the only difference is that it uses heat or microwave energy to vaporize and destroy cancer cells. Thermal ablation is minimally invasive and performed in-office as an outpatient procedure.
Embolization cuts off blood flow to a tumor. During this type of treatment, your provider inserts a catheter into the arteries feeding the cancer. Once placed, your provider delivers a tumor-killing medication into the catheter, closing off the arteries that support the cancerous growth.
If you have cancer, don’t wait to schedule an appointment at Imaging & Interventional Specialists. Call the office, or book a consultation online today.
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