Cancer Surgery at St. Luke’s

IL-2 Therapy for Melanoma and Kidney Tumors – High-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a natural protein that stimulates the growth of cancer-fighting white blood cells. IL-2 has proven effective in prolonging life for melanoma patients with advanced disease. IL-2 is effective when used alone or after standard chemotherapy has failed.

Stereotactic Breast Biopsy – A procedure whereby small samples of breast tissue are removed using a hollow needle guided by a computerized X-ray of the abnormal area. The tissue samples are then sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy – A nuclear medicine and surgical procedure that involves injecting dye around a tumor in order to identify individual lymph nodes at risk for the spread of cancer.

Ultrasound-Guided Breast Biopsy – Under ultrasound guidance, a breast mass is located and, using a specially guided needle, small samples of tissue are removed under local anesthesia and sent to the laboratory for evaluation.

Select Internal Radiation Therapy – Select Internal Radiation Therapy (SIR-Spheres) delivers much more radiation directly to an inoperable liver tumor than is possible with conventional external-beam radiation. In addition, SIR-Spheres leave most of the normal liver tissue unaffected.