Society of Interventional Radiology Hosts 35th Annual Scientific Meeting

FAIRFAX, Va.—The Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) will present the latest research on treatments for individuals with liver, breast, soft tissue, colon, prostate, lung and pancreatic cancers; painful spinal fractures; peripheral arterial disease (PAD); uterine fibroids; and more at its 35th Annual Scientific Meeting March 13–18 at the Tampa Convention Center.

More than 5,000 physicians, scientists and allied health professionals are expected to attend this premier IR event. Central to the meeting’s theme of “IR Innovation” will be the presentation of painstakingly researched data on how prolific interventional radiologists have been as inventors and the impact their innovations have had in advancing patient care and building the specialty. Hot topic main sessions include a look at practicing interventional radiology in extreme situations (wars, pandemics and natural catastrophes); IR frontiers (molecular medicine and nanotechnology); vertebral augmentation (past, present and future treatments); and future interventional oncology advances. A new categorical course will examine the most controversial interventional radiology–related studies of the past year—including critical review of the latest advances for topics like vertebroplasty, stroke and yttrium-90 cancer treatments.

Highlights of embargoed key interventional radiology studies being presented are listed below. Illustrations and broadcast-quality footage are available for some stories; interviews with lead researchers can be arranged on request.

IR Innovation
Advancing Minimally Invasive Modern Medicine: Interventional Radiologists Lead the Way
From the invention of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, which were both first used to treat peripheral arterial disease in the legs, to drug-coated stents, balloon angioplasty, ozone generators and radiofrequency ablation and clot-removing devices of today—interventional radiologists have continued to shape and change the medical landscape and improve patient care.

For more information about the Society of Interventional Radiology and its 35th Annual Scientific Meeting, visit online at www.SIRweb.org or www.SIRmeeting.org.

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About the Society of Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiologists are physicians who specialize in minimally invasive, targeted treatments. They offer the most in-depth knowledge of the least invasive treatments available coupled with diagnostic and clinical experience across all specialties. They use X-ray, MRI and other imaging to advance a catheter in the body, such as in an artery, to treat at the source of the disease internally. As the inventors of angioplasty and the catheter-delivered stent, which were first used in the legs to treat peripheral arterial disease, interventional radiologists pioneered minimally invasive modern medicine. Today, interventional oncology is a growing specialty area of interventional radiology. Interventional radiologists can deliver treatments for cancer directly to the tumor without significant side effects or damage to nearby normal tissue.

Many conditions that once required surgery can be treated less invasively by interventional radiologists. Interventional radiology treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to open surgery. Visit www.SIRweb.org.

The Society of Interventional Radiology is holding its 35th Annual Scientific Meeting March 13–18 in Tampa, Fla. The theme of the meeting is “IR Innovation,” celebrating the remarkable inventiveness of SIR members and highlighting the contribution made to both creating the field of interventional radiology and to improving patient care.

Local interviews, medical illustrations and broadcast-quality video footage are available by contacting SIR’s communications department via e-mail at mverrillo@SIRweb.org or by phone at (703) 460-5572.