Honorary lectures

Some career paths are meticulously planned, while others emerge from life’s unexpected turns. For Dr. Franco Orsi, a leading figure in interventional radiology, the journey into his field was born from a deeply personal experience—one that shaped both his professional trajectory and his dedication to pushing the boundaries of minimally invasive medicine.

Today, he serves as the Chief of the Clinical Department of Interventional Radiology at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, a role he has held since 2015. Over the years, he has pioneered advancements in interventional oncology, performing thousands of procedures and mentoring generations of physicians in the ever-evolving world of image-guided therapies.

In February 1985, at the age of 21, Franco Orsi was a second-year medical student when his life took an unexpected and dramatic turn. A severe car accident left him critically injured and fighting for survival through months of hospitalization. He endured multiple complications—severe respiratory failure, a medically induced coma, and even a cardiac arrest. At one point, he was administered the last rites.

During his hospitalization, doctors suspected a pulmonary embolism and performed a pulmonary angiogram—a procedure that would unknowingly set the course of his career. Seeing the angiographic images of his own lungs sparked an unexpected fascination. As he gradually recovered over the following year, he found himself deeply intrigued by the medical specialty that had played a role in his diagnosis and care.

Once back in his medical studies, he sought to understand who performed such procedures and how they were done. He soon discovered the world of interventional radiology—a field still in its early stages at the time. Driven by curiosity and ambition, he approached the Institute of Radiology at Sapienza University in Rome, where he was fortunate to meet Prof. Plinio Rossi, a visionary who had just returned from the United States. This mentorship ignited his journey into IR, shaping a future that would become instrumental in advancing the field.

After obtaining his MD with honours from Sapienza University in Rome, Dr. Orsi specialized in diagnostic and interventional radiology. His thirst for knowledge led him abroad, where he trained at some of the world’s leading institutions, including the Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London, the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in Washington D.C., and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

In 1994, a pivotal moment in his career arrived when the legendary Prof. Umberto Veronesi, one of the most influential figures in modern oncology, invited him to join the newly established European Institute of Oncology in Milan. Here, he played a fundamental role in developing interventional oncology, helping to cement these disciplines as critical pillars of modern cancer treatment.

Over the years, Dr. Orsi has performed thousands of procedures, including:

• 1,500+ vascular interventions (TACE, TAE, HIAC, SIRT, PHP, UFE)
• 2,000+ percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical ablations (liver, lung, kidney, bone, adrenal, thyroid…)
• 400+ high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments
• 4,000+ image-guided biopsies

His expertise spans both research and clinical practice, with a commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into minimally invasive therapies.

Beyond his clinical work, Dr. Orsi has been instrumental in shaping international standards and education in interventional oncology. He has held leadership roles in key organizations, including:

• CIRSE Fellow
• Scientific Program Committee member of ECIO
• Board President of SIO
• Past-President of IESIR and ISMINIM
• Assessor for IASIOS
• Advisory Board member of INTERACT-Europe 100 project

As an educator and mentor, he has been a speaker at over 500 international congresses and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. His contributions have shaped clinical guidelines and best practices worldwide.

Dr. Orsi’s journey from a critically injured patient to a world leader in interventional radiology is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and an unyielding passion for medical innovation. His experience underscores the transformative power of IR—not only for patients but also for those who dedicate their lives to its advancement.

As he prepares to deliver the Andreas Grüntzig Lecture at CIRSE 2025 in Barcelona, his story serves as an inspiration for the next generation of interventionalists. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most profound professional callings emerge from life’s most unexpected moments.