From bone treatment to liver therapy: SGH’s interventional cancer care earns global status

Singapore, 06 June 2025 – When cancer spreads to bones, patients often endure excruciating pain that can make even the simplest movements unbearable. While traditional treatments like painkillers and radiation therapy help many patients, others find little relief. For these patients, cementoplasty - where interventional radiologists inject medical-grade cement to strengthen weakened bones - not only provides rapid pain relief but also helps prevent fractures.

Cementoplasty is just one of the many cancer-related procedures performed by the Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where its interventional oncology (IO) services have emerged as one of the best in the world.

Ahead of other eminent centres in Europe and Asia, SGH has been conferred the status of Centre of Excellence by the International Accreditation System for Interventional Oncology Services (IASIOS), the first hospital in Asia and second in the world to attain this prestigious recognition.

“Receiving the IASIOS Centre of Excellence accreditation is the culmination of the hard work put in by our team of interventional radiologists, nurses and radiographers over the past four decades, and a strong affirmation of the rigorous standards that we hold ourselves to every day. More than a reflection of the team’s tireless dedication in delivering safe, effective and innovative cancer care for our patients, the accreditation also reinforces our responsibility to push boundaries – to lead, educate and collaborate globally so that patients everywhere can benefit from the promise of this emerging field of cancer care,” said Professor Tay Kiang Hiong, Head and Senior Consultant, Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, SGH.

Building the future of interventional radiology

Since 1999, Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has demonstrated its commitment to advancing IR globally through its comprehensive Vascular and Interventional Radiology (VIR) Fellowship programme. This initiative provides radiologists from developing nations with hands-on experience in a wide spectrum of vascular and non-vascular procedures, with particular emphasis on interventional oncology techniques.

Building on this strong foundation, the International Network of SingHealth and Partners for Interventional Radiology Education (INSPIRE) was launched in 2024, spearheaded by SGH. It serves as a strategic global health platform, not just for doctors but also nurses and radiographers, to share knowledge and expertise, and promotes best practices to elevate patient care in developing nations. Bangladesh was the first to have benefitted under INSPIRE.

IO in SGH

Since introducing IO procedures in the late 1980s, SGH’s Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology has grown to become Singapore’s largest, with over 20 specialists handling 3,000 to 4,000 cancer-related cases yearly - about a third of all their procedures. The department offers the full spectrum of IO procedures, using imaging guidance to take tissue samples to diagnose cancer, insert special tubes into veins for chemotherapy, and treat tumours by destroying them with extreme heat or cold. 

Fourth Pillar of Cancer Care

IO is often called the fourth pillar of cancer care alongside surgery (Surgical Oncology), chemotherapy (Medical Oncology) and radiotherapy (Radiation Oncology). Like a guided missile, IO uses medical imaging techniques like ultrasound, X-ray fluoroscopy, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to deliver highly precise, targeted treatments that destroy cancer cells while sparing the healthy tissue, in some cases offering hope where conventional cancer treatments fall short. Please refer to the Annex for more information on IO.

About International Accreditation System for Interventional Oncology Services (IASIOS)

IASIOS is the world’s only accreditation that certifies medical centres providing high-quality care in interventional oncology, based on the Standards of Quality Assurance in Interventional Oncology established by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe. The standards – which are separated into core or extended requirements, are broadly divided into three sections that include Staff and Facilities, Treatment Planning and Delivery, and Safety and Quality. The Centre of Excellence award is the highest recognition offered by IASIOS to facilities that meet core and extended criteria in the standards.

About Singapore General Hospital

Singapore General Hospital, established in 1821, is the largest tertiary hospital in Singapore and ranked among the world’s best. It provides the most comprehensive patient-centred care with over 50 clinical specialties on its campus. As an Academic Medical Centre, it takes pride in training healthcare professionals and conducting cutting edge research to meet evolving needs of the nation as well as the region. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, SGH is committed to give of its best to heal and bring hope, as it has for over 200 years.

For more information, please visit www.sgh.com.sg.

ANNEX – About Interventional Oncology

What is Interventional Oncology?

Interventional Oncology (IO) is a subspecialty of interventional radiology that uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cancer and cancer-related conditions. It plays a complementary role to traditional oncology disciplines such as medical, surgical, and radiation oncology.

Key Procedures in Interventional Oncology

Tumour Ablation Techniques

• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): Uses electrical currents to heat and destroy tumour tissue.
• Microwave Ablation (MWA): Uses microwaves to heat and kill cancer cells.
• Cryoablation: Freezes cancer cells using argon gas and then thaws them, causing cell death.
• Irreversible Electroporation (IRE): Uses electrical pulses to disrupt cancer cell membranes without thermal damage.

Embolisation Therapies

• Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE): Delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumour while blocking its blood supply.
• Transarterial Radioembolisation (TARE or Y-90): Delivers radioactive microspheres to tumours (commonly in the liver) via blood vessels.
• Bland Embolisation: Blocks blood flow to tumours without using chemotherapy or radiation.

Other Procedures

• Biopsy: Image-guided needle biopsies to diagnose cancer.
• Drainage Procedures: For managing complications like abscesses or malignant effusions.
• Venous Access: Placement of ports or catheters for chemotherapy administration.
• Cementoplasty and osteosynthesis: To strengthen weakened or fractured bones from tumour invasion with cement and screws for stability and pain relief
• Nerve blocks or ablation: For cancer pain relief

Common Cancers Treated

• Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastatic disease)
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Bone metastases
• Pancreatic and adrenal tumours
• Soft tissue tumours

Advantages of Interventional Oncology

• Minimally invasive with reduced recovery times
• Lower complication rates compared to open surgery
• Repeatable and combinable with systemic therapies
• Offers options for patients not eligible for surgery or traditional therapies

Imaging Modalities Used

• Ultrasound
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Fluoroscopy

Role in Multidisciplinary Cancer Care

Interventional oncologists are integral members of tumor boards and cancer care teams, offering local-regional therapies and supporting precision oncology approaches.

Future Trends

• Increasing integration with immunotherapy and genomics
• Image-guided delivery of gene therapy and personalised medicine
• Development of advanced navigation and robotic systems

IO is transforming cancer care by providing innovative, targeted treatments that improve patient outcomes while minimising invasiveness. Its role continues to expand as technology and cancer biology evolve.