TSIR 2026 with Veterinarians
Conmed and TSIR Advance Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration in Image-Guided Precision Oncology for Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Session Highlights New Opportunities for Image-Guided and Minimally Invasive Cancer Treatment
TAIPEI, Taiwan — September 13, 2026 — As precision medicine and minimally invasive therapies continue to evolve, advanced interventional radiology techniques are increasingly expanding beyond human medicine into veterinary clinical practice.
The Taiwan Society of Interventional Radiology (TSIR) hosted a dedicated Veterinary Session during its 2026 annual meeting, bringing together 20 interventional radiology specialists from human medicine, 40 veterinary clinicians, and Conmed Pharmaceutical and Medical Technology Co., Ltd. The session provided a platform for cross-disciplinary exchange on the application of image-guided and minimally invasive technologies in veterinary medicine, with a particular focus on precision oncology.
The program covered a wide range of topics, including imaging assessment of hepatobiliary diseases, liver tumor embolization, ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided procedures, interventional oncology, intratumoral drug-driven ablation, as well as percutaneous hepatobiliary drainage and stent placement.
The discussions demonstrated the growing potential of image-guided intervention to support a new generation of precision treatment strategies in veterinary medicine.
From Diagnostic Imaging to Image-Guided Treatment
A key theme of the Veterinary Session was the evolution of imaging from a diagnostic tool into an integral component of treatment.
Advanced imaging modalities such as ultrasound and computed tomography can help clinicians identify deep-seated lesions, plan safe and accurate needle trajectories, and precisely deliver needles, catheters, or therapeutic agents to targeted areas.
This integrated approach—image localization, precision intervention, and localized treatment—has the potential to expand treatment options for veterinary patients while supporting more targeted and minimally invasive procedures.
The President of TSIR noted that interventional radiology is continuing to evolve toward greater precision, minimal invasiveness, and personalized treatment. Imaging is no longer limited to identifying disease; it is increasingly being used to localize lesions, guide interventions, and improve treatment accuracy.
The Veterinary Session was therefore designed to connect the extensive clinical experience accumulated in human interventional radiology with the evolving needs of veterinary medicine, creating new opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.
Translating Human Medical Experience into Veterinary Applications
Professor Hsi-Ming Lin of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital shared his clinical experience in local treatment of liver cancer. With extensive experience in liver tumor diagnosis and ultrasound-guided local therapy, Professor Lin presented his experience using para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) for the treatment of liver cancer.
His presentation covered the entire treatment process, from image-based tumor localization and precise needle placement to intratumoral drug delivery, demonstrating the potential of localized drug therapy as part of interventional cancer treatment.
This experience provided an important point of connection with the Veterinary Session's discussion of intratumoral drug-driven ablation, highlighting opportunities for knowledge exchange between human and veterinary medicine.
Exploring Intratumoral Therapy in Veterinary Oncology
Dr. Hsu, Director of an animal hospital, shared his experience and perspectives on the development of intratumoral drug-driven ablation in veterinary clinical practice.
Unlike systemic drug therapy, intratumoral treatment delivers therapeutic agents directly into the target tumor, making localized drug delivery an integral component of an interventional treatment strategy.
Early clinical research has explored this approach in a variety of canine tumors, including the use of ultrasound imaging to identify liver tumors and guide intratumoral PTS injection. These experiences illustrate the potential of combining image guidance with localized chemical ablation to achieve more targeted tumor treatment.
Dr. Hsu also presented clinical experience in treating canine oral and digital malignant melanoma. Canine oral malignant melanoma is characterized by aggressive local invasion, and treatment can be challenging depending on tumor location and extent, as well as the animal's age and overall health.
In addition to surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic treatment, intratumoral PTS injection may offer another approach to enhancing local tumor control and integrating localized treatment into a multimodal therapeutic strategy.
Toward More Precise Veterinary Oncology
The development of interventional oncology in human medicine demonstrates that localized therapies are not necessarily intended to replace surgery, radiation therapy, or systemic treatment. Instead, treatment modalities can be selected and combined according to disease characteristics, tumor location, and individual patient needs.
This treatment philosophy is increasingly relevant to veterinary oncology.
The evolution is moving from simply “seeing the tumor” to “precisely reaching the tumor” and ultimately “treating the tumor from within.”
As imaging technologies, interventional techniques, and localized treatment modalities continue to advance, image-guided precision therapy could become an increasingly important component of the future development of veterinary oncology.
Building a Bridge Between Human and Veterinary Medicine
With more than 3.4 million companion animals, primarily dogs and cats, in Taiwan, demand for advanced veterinary healthcare continues to grow. The integration of mature medical concepts and innovative technologies from human medicine, together with treatment approaches tailored to the unique characteristics of veterinary patients, represents an important opportunity for the continued advancement of veterinary medicine.
Through collaboration among interventional radiologists, veterinarians, and medical technology companies, the TSIR Veterinary Session provided a valuable platform for exchanging clinical experience and exploring new applications of image-guided intervention.
For Conmed, participation in this cross-disciplinary initiative represents an important opportunity to support the development of precision medicine beyond traditional boundaries and to explore the potential of advanced localized therapies in veterinary healthcare.
Image guidance localizes the tumor. Intervention reaches the tumor. Localized delivery enables treatment to act precisely within the tumor.
The TSIR Veterinary Session marks an important step toward connecting human and veterinary medicine and creating new opportunities for precision oncology, minimally invasive intervention, and cross-disciplinary innovation in Taiwan.