Gynecological malignancies: bail-out interventional radiology treatments

Abstract Interventional Radiology presents nowadays a relevant role in the management of gynecological malignancies, especially in advanced stages where conventional surgery may be contraindicated. Progression to multiorgan failure may be related to cancer disease extension or, more acutely, to concomitant infections, bleedings or thromboembolic complications. Infiltration of adjacent organs, as ureters and biliary ducts, ascites and pelvic collections often occur in advanced stages: considering the clinical fragility of these patients, percutaneous procedures are frequently applied. Regarding hemorrhagic complications, bleeding may occur into the tumor itself, due to cancer tissue erosion and vessels infiltration, or may be related to iatrogenic vascular lesions consequent to surgery, mini-invasive procedures and chemo-radiotherapy; embolization represents a bail-out treatment in both acute and chronic scenarios. Aim of this paper is to review interventional radiology procedures in patients affected by gynecological malignancies in advanced stages not suitable for surgery.