In the treatment of different forms of cancer, interventional oncology offers an increasing number of options alongside surgery, radiation treatment, as well as drug, gene, and immunotherapy. This is a modern, minimally invasive branch of oncological therapy in which
tumors are destroyed or patients’ pain is alleviated through targeted interventions performed with the aid of imaging devices (such as X-rays or ultrasound).
Semmelweis University has gained international recognition in this emerging field by having its Onco-Interventional Department accredited by the International Accreditation System for Interventional Oncology Services (IASIOS) – as the first institution in Hungary and the region.
Dr. Pál Ákos Deák, Head of the department, explained that interventional radiology was a dynamically evolving branch of science. In addition to tissue sampling (biopsy), which is the most common procedure performed at clinics, it enables treatments such as cutting off the blood supply to tumors (embolization) or thermal treatment of cancer cells (cryo- and thermoablation). These procedures are most commonly used for kidney and liver tumors, as well as for kidney, liver, lung, and bone metastases, but the range of indications is constantly expanding.
All of this takes place at the highest level, in accordance with the strictest professional protocols at Semmelweis University, as evidenced by IASIOS accreditation and the membership that comes with it. “The university has thus joined yet another ‘elite club’ where it can measure its expertise against the world’s leading clinics and hospitals, share its experiences, and participate in joint research programs,” Dr. Pál Ákos Deák noted.
At such an accredited training institution, students receive state-of-the-art education and can develop along clearly defined training plans and competency levels. IASIOS places special emphasis on continuous professional development and training, thereby opening doors to the world for both researchers and students at Semmelweis.
All of this means that students here can master the most advanced technologies and the strictest international safety standards during their university years, gaining knowledge that is competitive on the global market.
The head of department emphasized that for patients, this accreditation guaranteed the safety and quality of care. Moreover, most interventional oncology procedures involve less pain, require a shorter hospital stay (often even allowing for same-day care), and enable a faster return to daily life than traditional major surgeries. The Onco-Interventional Department at Semmelweis University currently treats approximately three thousand cases annually, and this number is steadily rising.
Éva Haiman
Translation: Dr. Balázs Csizmadia
Photos by Bálint Barta, Boglárka Zellei – Semmelweis University
