New paper outlines growing role of interventional radiology in liver cancer treatment
Interventional radiologists (IRs) provide patients with primary and secondary liver cancer with high-quality, high-impact care in a more cost-efficient way than other specialties, according to a study published online in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.
A recent study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology highlights the growing importance of interventional radiology (IR) in treating liver cancer. According to the research, IR specialists provide high-quality, cost-effective care for patients with primary and secondary liver cancer, accounting for nearly 51% of Medicare liver cancer patients from 2016 to 2021.
The volume of IR patients increased over time, as IR became an essential part of routine oncologic care. IRs are increasingly specializing in oncology and delivering therapeutic treatments, such as transarterial chemoembolization, transarterial radioembolization, and percutaneous thermal and nonthermal ablation. These treatments can be curative, adjunct to systemic therapies, or even serve as a bridge to organ transplantation.
They often have fewer side effects, faster recovery times, and lower costs compared to other treatment options. IRs performed 11.7% of work relative value units (wRVUs) while accounting for 7.4% of total payments, making them more cost-efficient than oncologists. As payers and regulators focus on cost-effective care, IRs must be involved in discussions about cancer care policy, cost, and resource allocation.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
