Targeted, minimally invasive treatments for cancer and tumours. Using advanced image-guided techniques, Dr Rogan delivers therapies directly to tumours — with the aim of sparing healthy tissue and reducing side effects, and offering options when surgery is not possible.
Interventional oncology is a rapidly growing subspecialty that uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cancer. These treatments are delivered through tiny needles, catheters, or probes — guided by real-time imaging — directly to the tumour site.
These therapies can be used as a primary treatment, in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, or as a palliative option to improve quality of life. They are an essential part of modern multidisciplinary cancer care and are discussed at tumour board meetings alongside surgical and medical oncology teams.
Dr Rogan offers a comprehensive range of interventional oncology services, including transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), tumour ablation, and cryoablation.
Each treatment is selected based on your specific cancer type, location, stage, and overall health — ensuring the most appropriate and effective approach for you.
TACE delivers concentrated chemotherapy directly into the arteries feeding a liver tumour, while simultaneously blocking its blood supply. This dual action targets the tumour with high-dose chemotherapy while starving it of nutrients.
SIRT delivers millions of tiny radioactive microspheres directly into the liver arteries. These microspheres lodge in the blood vessels feeding the tumour and deliver targeted radiation over the following weeks, destroying cancer cells from the inside.
Tumour ablation uses heat (radiofrequency or microwave) delivered through a needle placed directly into the tumour under image guidance. The heat destroys cancer cells in place, offering a curative or palliative option with minimal impact on surrounding tissue.
Cryoablation uses extreme cold delivered through a specialised probe (cryoprobe) to freeze and destroy cancerous tissue. Argon gas circulates through the probe, creating an ice ball that destroys tumour cells while sparing surrounding healthy kidney tissue.
Dr Rogan reviews your imaging, pathology, and treatment history in detail. Advanced imaging may be required to map the tumour blood supply and plan the procedure precisely.
Your case is discussed at a tumour board meeting with surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and radiologists to determine the optimal treatment plan.
The procedure is performed in a state-of-the-art angiography suite or CT suite under sedation. Real-time imaging ensures precise delivery of therapy to the tumour while protecting healthy tissue.
Post-procedure observation ensures comfort and safety. Most patients go home the same day or the following morning. Pain and side effects are proactively managed.
CT or MRI scans are performed at 4–6 weeks to assess treatment response. Tumour markers may also be monitored. Results are shared with your referring team.
Treatments can be repeated if needed. Dr Rogan remains part of your multidisciplinary team throughout your cancer journey, adapting the approach as your needs evolve.
Therapy is delivered directly to the tumour through image guidance, maximising effect on cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy tissue and reducing systemic side effects.
Procedures are performed through tiny needle punctures or catheter insertions — no large surgical incisions. This means less pain, lower infection risk, and faster recovery.
For patients with tumours that cannot be surgically removed, or who are not fit for major surgery, interventional oncology provides effective treatment alternatives.
By treating only the tumour and a small margin of surrounding tissue, these techniques preserve maximum organ function — particularly important in the liver, kidney, and lung.
Most interventional oncology procedures can be safely repeated if new tumours develop or if additional treatment is needed, providing ongoing options throughout your care.
Bile duct cancers that may benefit from locoregional therapies including TACE and SIRT as part of a multimodal treatment plan.
Primary liver cancer treated with TACE, SIRT, or ablation depending on tumour size, number, and liver function.
Secondary cancers that have spread to the liver from bowel, breast, or other primary sites. SIRT and TACE can control growth and improve survival.
Small kidney cancers treated with cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation, preserving kidney function while destroying the tumour.
Primary or secondary lung tumours may be treated with percutaneous ablation when surgery is not appropriate.
Painful bone metastases can be treated with ablation for pain relief and local tumour control.
The choice of treatment depends on your cancer type, tumour size and location, liver or organ function, prior treatments, and overall health. Your case will be discussed at a multidisciplinary team meeting, and Dr Rogan will recommend the most appropriate approach based on all available evidence and guidelines.
In some cases, particularly with small tumours treated by ablation, these procedures can be curative. For larger or more advanced cancers, they are used to control tumour growth, improve survival, relieve symptoms, or bridge patients to other therapies such as liver transplant. Dr Rogan will be transparent about the goals of treatment in your specific case.
Recovery varies by procedure. Ablation patients often go home the same day with mild discomfort lasting a few days. TACE patients typically stay overnight and may experience fatigue, nausea, and mild abdominal discomfort for a few days. SIRT patients may feel tired for 1–2 weeks. All side effects are proactively managed with medication.
Yes. Interventional oncology procedures are often used alongside systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. In fact, SIRT combined with chemotherapy has been shown to provide greater survival benefit than chemotherapy alone in certain settings.
Yes, a referral from your oncologist, surgeon, or GP is required. It is helpful to have your recent imaging (CT, MRI, or PET scans) and pathology results available for review. In many cases, your treating team will have already discussed your case at a multidisciplinary meeting before referral.
Serious complications are uncommon (<5%) but can occur. For liver-directed therapy these include things such as:
• Thermal injury to adjacent organs or liver structures
• Inflammation in adjacent organs, such as the gallbladder, pancreas, or overlying skin
• Risks such as bleeding or vascular injury.
Book a consultation with Dr Rogan to discuss your interventional oncology treatment options.