Karen T. Brown, MD, FSIR

I am also recognized for expertise in both the diagnosis and minimally invasive management of primary and secondary liver tumors, with emphasis on hepatocellular cancer (hepatoma) and metastatic neuroendocrine tumors. To this end, I work very closely with a team of hepatobiliary surgeons, gastrointestinal oncologists, and gastroenterologists in order to determine the most appropriate treatment for each patient. Cancer within the liver can be treated using embolization, in which the blood supply to a tumor (or tumors) within the liver is “shut off.” Since 1992, I have worked to refine this technique, and I have published data supporting this method of treatment. I am the Primary Investigator on an NIH funded trial comparing results of embolization with particles alone to embolization performed with particles loaded with chemotherapy.

Thermal ablative techniques (such as radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation) can also be used to treat tumors, not only within the liver but also within the lung, kidney, and bone. These techniques involve inserting a needle-like “probe” into a tumor using imaging guidance. The “probe” then heats or freezes the tumor, resulting in thermal-mediated tumor cell death. The object of this type of procedure is to kill the tumor while preserving the surrounding normal tissue.

Although I have published papers, spoken nationally, and taught courses on these topics, caring for patients is still my primary focus. I have been chosen one of New York’s Top Doctors on six occaisions since 2003. My goal each day is not only to perform procedures safely, efficiently, and with technical expertise, but also to provide the best experience possible for our patients.