Chemoembolization is the injection of chemo drugs into a tumor, followed by blockage of the vessels that feed it. This technique allows substances that destroy cancer cells to be delivered directly to the tumor. Because of this, chemotherapy acts in a more targeted and effective way without disrupting the body as a whole. Due to the blockage of blood vessels, blood and nutrients stop flowing to the tumor, so it does not grow and eventually dies out.
Who will benefit from cancer chemoembolization?
According to the medical portal radiologyinfo.org, doctors use chemoembolization of tumors for:
- Primary cancer of the liver and biliary tract;
- Liver metastases;
- breast cancer;
- pancreatic cancer;
- malignant tumor in the lungs;
- kidney cancer.
Depending on the number and size of tumors, transarterial embolization is used as an independent technique or in combination with surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
How is transarterial chemoembolization performed?
Before transarterial chemoembolization, the doctor performs an X-ray examination of the tumor and the vessels that feed it. This makes it possible to plan the procedure and pave the way for the substances to be injected.
In order to make the patient feel comfortable, pain medications are given.
A catheter is inserted into an artery, most often the femoral artery. A mixture of chemopreparations and microparticles is injected through it.
After the procedure is completed, X-rays are taken again to make sure that the chemoembolization has passed accurately. The doctor removes the catheter and applies a tight dressing.
The whole procedure takes up to 90 minutes. Afterwards, the patient is monitored by doctors for about 6 more hours.
Chemoembolization with microspheres
This is an innovative cancer treatment technique that combines chemoembolization and radiotherapy. According to the American Cancer Society, during this procedure, the patient is injected not only with chemotherapy but also with special microspheres containing a radioactive substance. Once in the bloodstream, they irradiate the tumor for several days.
Chemoembolization with microspheres is safe for other tissues because doctors use a small amount of radioactive substance and inject it directly into the tumor.
Chemoembolization of a liver tumor
Chemoembolization is indicated for the treatment of a primary liver tumor and metastases from other organs. Studies have shown the method to be effective at all stages of the disease.
