As interventional radiology specialists at Cambria Somerset Radiology, Drs. Gary Kramer, Eric Cohen, and Kevin Baskin treat cancer patients with innovative interventional radiology procedures in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, area. The team of physicians practices interventional oncology to deliver targeted therapies such as chemoembolization (delivering anticancer drugs directly to the site of a tumor) to cancer patients. The team also performs biopsies, radiofrequency ablation, and microwave ablation to provide comprehensive cancer care.
Cancer Q & A
What is interventional cancer therapy?
Cambria Somerset Radiology strives to deliver the most effective, minimally invasive cancer therapies to their patients.
When performing interventional cancer therapy, the team of physicians uses imaging for guidance to deliver treatment to the site of the cancer. These interventional procedures can be performed in addition to, or instead of, surgery depending on your preferred treatment plan.
Once the physicians have a clear image via X-ray or MRI, one of the clinic’s interventional radiologists can guide catheters through the vascular system to treat tumors or cancer cells at the source with drugs or radiation.
Drs. William Herbick, John Wherthey and Wayne Rosen specialize in the interpretation of PET services in the diagnosing, staging, troubleshooting, and treatment of cancer.
Interventional therapy reduces the physical burden on the patient, leading to a shorter recovery time and reduced risk of infection or complications. Many of Cambria Somerset Radiology’s interventional procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis or only require a short hospital stay. General anesthesia is often not necessary, and insurance covers most procedures.
What cancers can be treated with interventional therapy?
Cancers that can be treated with interventional therapy include breast, liver, colorectal, stomach, lung, melanoma, sarcoma, and others. Please consult with your physician regarding your interventional cancer therapy options.
What is radioembolization?
Radioembolization treatments involve delivering radioactive particles to a tumor to destroy it. These particles give off radiation that damages cancerous tumor cells, blocking blood flow to the tumor and gradually reducing the tumor’s size. Radioembolization is most commonly used for cancers that originate or spread to the liver.
What is Y90 radioembolization?
Cambria Somerset Radiology’s team offers Y90 radioembolization for liver cancer patients. Y90 therapy delivers a combination of radiation therapy, and an isotope called Y90 to liver cancer cells, blocking their blood flow and restricting their growth. Y90 therapy does not harm healthy cells, making it an effective treatment to manage liver cancer.
What is tumor ablation therapy?
Tumor ablation therapy involves destroying cancerous tissue with extreme temperatures delivered through the vascular system to burn or freeze the cancer.
Ablation can be performed on tumors or to help manage cancer symptoms. The team of physicians may use a combination of radioembolization and ablation therapies for certain cancers.
Book an appointment today to discuss your interventional cancer treatment options with the team at Cambria Somerset Radiology.