Interventional Radiology

Kidney Cancer

Patient getting his blood pressure taken by a nurse

As radiology screening becomes more common, we diagnose kidney cancer at earlier stages. Mount Sinai Interventional Radiology uses minimally invasive techniques to treat kidney cancer. This approach is less invasive and more likely to preserve kidney function.

Treatments We Offer

We use image-guided approaches to remove cancer cells. These techniques use the power of thermal energy or extreme hot or cold temperatures. Using light anesthesia, we insert small needles through the skin into your kidney. We use three ablation techniques:

  • Cryoablation uses extreme cold to kill cancer cells.
  • Radiofrequency ablation (RF) uses high-energy radio waves to heat the tumor and kill cancer cells.
  • Microwave ablation delivers extreme heat to kill cancer cells.

We also use state–of-the-art techniques to perform kidney dialysis (hemodialysis). This approach involves filtering your blood outside your body. At Mount Sinai, we use interventional radiology to create and maintain vascular access.

We can quickly find and solve issues related to vascular access. We can help with increased bleeding times, inadequate dialysis, and recirculation. We avoid using stents unless absolutely necessary. We are expert with self-expanding stents, flared stent technology, covered stents, and others. 

At Mount Sinai, we are experienced with fistulas and grafts. We do balloon angioplasty and coil embolization under ultrasound guidance. We treat blood clot with anti-clotting agents such as tPA and heparin. We also use mechanical devices such as angioplasty balloons and rheolytic thrombectomy catheters, if necessary. When appropriate, we use mini-inclusion thrombectomy to treat abcesses blocked with a blood clot.

Why Mount Sinai

At Mount Sinai, our doctors are leaders in kidney cancer, including maintaining access for hemodialysis. We are one of the few sites in the country with extensive experience using HeRO grafts in complicated cases. Our doctors are researchers who publish regularly in the field. They also present at conferences nationwide. Our nursing and tech staff strives to make your visit as easy and painless as possible.

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