Learn how cancer is evaluated for ablation therapy. Discover the imaging tests, biopsies, and staging processes used at Liv Hospital to plan your treatment.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
When you are facing a cancer diagnosis, getting a precise and accurate evaluation is the most critical first step in your journey. Because ablation therapy is a highly targeted, minimally invasive cancer treatment, your oncology team needs a flawless understanding of your tumor. Proper ablation therapy diagnosis and staging ensures that this innovative procedure is the safest and most effective option for your specific type of cancer.
Ablation therapy is not used for all types of cancer; it is a precision tool. Therefore, the diagnostic process focuses on mapping the exact size, location, and spread of the malignant cells. For international patients traveling to Liv Hospital, this evaluation phase is designed to be comprehensive, fast, and clear, utilizing the latest in oncological imaging and multidisciplinary expertise.
In traditional open surgery, an oncologist can physically see and feel the tumor and its surrounding tissues. However, ablation therapy relies entirely on advanced technology to guide needle-thin probes through the skin and directly into the cancer. To do this safely, interventional radiologists need a high-definition “roadmap” of your internal anatomy.
A thorough diagnostic and staging evaluation achieves three primary goals for cancer patients:
High-resolution imaging is the foundation of cancer diagnosis and plays a vital role in planning your ablation. Your medical team will use a combination of different scans to get the clearest possible picture of the tumor’s size and location within the organ.
Depending on whether your cancer is in the liver, kidney, lung, or bone, you can expect one or more of the following diagnostic tests:
In the vast majority of cancer cases, yes. While a CT or MRI can show the size and location of a mass, imaging alone cannot definitively prove the mass is cancer, nor can it identify the specific cancer subtype. A biopsy is a mandatory part of the ablation therapy diagnosis and staging process.
During a biopsy, an interventional radiologist uses image guidance to remove a tiny sample of tissue from the tumor. This sample is sent to a pathology lab, where experts examine it under a microscope. By identifying the exact cellular makeup and “grade” of the cancer (how aggressive it looks), your multidisciplinary tumor board can confirm if ablation is the right weapon against your specific disease.
Cancer staging is the process of determining how advanced the disease is and whether it has metastasized (spread) beyond its original location. Because ablation therapy is a localized treatment, it is highly dependent on the stage of your cancer.
When staging a tumor for ablation candidacy, oncologists typically look for:
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Liv Hospital’s Interventional Oncology and Radiology departments are equipped with world-class diagnostic technology, ensuring precise and rapid cancer staging. We understand that traveling internationally for cancer care can be overwhelming, which is why we prioritize a seamless, patient-first diagnostic experience.
For our international patients from the US and beyond, the evaluation process begins before you ever travel. Through secure pre-arrival telemedicine consultations, our oncologists and radiologists review your existing MRI, CT, and PET scans. Upon your arrival in Turkey, our dedicated international patient coordinators guide you through any remaining biopsies or staging steps. Your case is then reviewed by our multidisciplinary tumor board to finalize the safest, most effective treatment plan.
It depends on the specific scan. For a CT scan, PET scan, or MRI—especially if contrast dye is being used to highlight blood vessels—you will likely be asked not to eat or drink for several hours beforehand. Your Liv Hospital care team will provide clear instructions prior to your appointment.
Contrast dye is a safe, specialized substance injected into an IV during a CT or MRI scan. It flows through your bloodstream and highlights your organs and blood vessels. Because tumors often have abnormal blood supplies, the dye makes the cancer stand out sharply against healthy tissue.
The biopsy is performed using local anesthesia to numb the skin and the tissue around the tumor. You may feel some pressure during the procedure, but you should not feel sharp pain. Mild soreness at the needle site afterward is common and easily managed.
Yes, a PET scan is a crucial part of the staging process. If the PET scan shows that the cancer is localized to one or a few small spots, ablation may be an excellent option. If the scan shows widespread cancer throughout the body, systemic treatments like chemotherapy are usually required instead.
Typically, it takes a few days for the pathology laboratory to analyze the tissue sample and determine the exact type and grade of the cancer. Once the results are ready, your tumor board will finalize your ablation therapy plan.
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