Dr. Constantinos Sofocleous, MD

I have been practicing interventional radiology since 1998. I joined the division of interventional radiology and image guided terapies of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in 2002. As an expert in interventional oncology, I use image guidance to diagnose and treat cancer. My specific areas of clinical expertise include the treatment of primary and metastatic cancers of the liver and lung by ablation -- including radiofrequency ablation, cryoablation, and the use of microwave or other sources of energy. I also specialize in embolization -- a procedure used to treat malignant tumors in the liver by depriving the tumor blood supply (ischemia). I am involved in the development and application of new treatments for liver cancers through beads that deliver chemotherapy or radiotherapy directly to the tumor. These types of beads combine the therapeutic effect of radiation or chemotherapy with that of embolization.This approach offers the best possible therapeutic option to cancer …patients who are not candidates for surgery. Other areas of my expertise include image-guided biopsies for diagnosis, vascular access for chemotherapy (mediports and central venous catheters), hemodialysis, and other treatments. Generally, I use minimally invasive procedures performed with image guidance to treat cancer patients with minimal side effects, complications, or patient discomfort.. I am a recognized expert in both the diagnosis of primary and secondary liver and lung tumors as well as the treatment of these tumors with interventional, minimally invasive procedures, particularly radiofrequency ablation and arterial embolization. I have given several invited lectures both nationally and internationally on topics such as embolization and ablation of liver tumors, particularly colon cancer metastases and hepatocellular cancer. I have also been invited to lecture on ablation of primary and metastatic lung cancers. I am a clinician but also an academician and a researcher who is involved in several multidisciplinary clinical, research, and educational activities at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. As a faculty member on the multidisciplinary hepatobiliary, colon cancer, and solid-tumor teams, I routinely participate in evaluating and deciding on treatments for patients with primary and metastatic cancer of the liver and lung. As a result, I work very closely with a team of hepatobiliary, colon, and thoracic surgeons; gastrointestinal, breast, and other oncologists; as well as with gastroenterologists and radiation therapists in order to determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient. I am also involved with research and early in my career was recognized as an investigator by the radiological and interventional societies. I have recently published articles on subjects such as the treatment of breast cancer liver metastases with radiofrequency ablation, the effect of ablation on liver tumors, the use of embolization to salvage infusion pumps in patients with colon cancer metastatic to the liver, the use of embolization in the treatment of primary and metastatic liver cancers. I am one of the investigators in an ongoing study evaluating the effect of chemotherapy-eluding beads in the treatment of liver cancer. My most particular topic of ongoing investigation is the evaluation of tissue changes after ablation treatment of tumors and in particular colon cancer metastases. I have worked extensively , lectured, and published on this topic. This work may allow the early detection and repeat treatment of failures after ablation of cancer. Despite my strong interest in research, my main focus remains the care of patients. Each cancer has a unique identity and, therefore, treatment must be tailored to each patient and each situation. The environment and philosophy of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center allow me and my partners in the interventional radiology and image-guided therapies to offer to each of our patients the best possible care for his or her type of cancer. The combination of excellence in clinical work and research,