From diagnostic procedures interventional radiology has developed a large number of therapeutic methods that have found a place in the treatment of palliative care patients. Minimal invasiveness and high efficiency characterise the implantation of metallic stents in the treatment of malignant biliary or esophageal obstruction and vena cava compression syndrome. Transcatheter arterial embolisation, chemoembolisation and chemoinfusion for palliative treatment of inoperable liver malignomas are performed at many centers. A specific concept and an accepted spectrum of indications have to be better defined by prospective trials. Therapeutic decisions in this patient group have to based on the individual case. The interventional radiologists is increasingly involved in the interdisciplinary decision making process.