Treating Liver Cancer in Dallas: What Your First Steps Will Be If You're Receiving IR Treatment

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If your doctors have referred you to the specialists at MTV IR for treating liver cancer in Dallas, you probably have a number of questions about what Interventional Radiology (IR) is and what to expect. In this article we'll try to present some general information to help you feel comfortable with the process ahead of you.

First, what exactly is Interventional Radiology?

IR is a surgical technique that has revolutionized medicine in recent years because it provides a minimally-invasive way to treat disease. Instead of making deep incisions in the skin, IR doctors introduce a tiny needle or catheter into an existing vein or artery and then guide it into place using X-rays, ultrasound, or other medical imaging technologies. Once the needle is in place, the doctors can inject medications directly into the areas being treated, or remove unwanted tissue using heat or tiny lasers. The non-invasive nature of IR procedures means that there are no large incisions, no scarring, and no long recovery periods.

Who performs IR procedures?

The Interventional Radiologists at MTV IR work as part of a team with your existing doctors. So, depending on the condition being treated, we may work with medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, diagnostic radiologists, and many other specialists to determine a course of treatment that offers you the most effective treatment possible. Once MTV IR doctors come "on board" with your treatment team, they will meet with you and perform a number of tests to determine whether you are a suitable candidate for the IR procedures they specialize in.

If the medical team as a whole determines that IR treatment would benefit your condition, the actual IR procedures will be performed at one of the best cancer hospitals in Texas by MTV IR surgeons who specialize in those procedures. All of the procedures will be performed in our state-of-the-art surgical suites in the Walnut Hill Medical Center, but because of the gentle, non-invasive nature of interventional radiology, chances are your procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day. Other procedures may require an overnight stay, but because there are no deep incisions and therefore nothing to recover from, they rarely require a longer recovery period.

I have a fear of general anesthesia – do I have to undergo it?

The answer to this depends on the procedure itself and the condition being treated, but, in many cases, there is no need for general anesthesia. All that is required is for the doctors to numb the area where the needle or catheter is inserted, and provide some gentle medications to help you relax, so in most cases you can stay awake the whole time if you prefer. We'll work out your preferences for such things long before it's time for your actual surgery.

Who can I talk to if I want to know more before my surgery?

The best interventional radiology doctors in Dallas are on call to answer any questions you have, either before the procedures or afterward. Our goal at MTV IR is to provide you with the best medical care possible, and part of that means providing you with any information you need. This article is too short to do justice to all of your questions, so if you have more, just give us a call at 469-447-4008 and ask. Or spend some time on our website at http://www.mtvir.com/, where we've provided a great deal more information about each of the procedures we specialize in.

Author Bio: IR doctors explain what your first steps are likely to be if you are scheduled for IR treatment when Treating Liver Cancer in Dallas.