What is liver tumor chemoembolization?
Liver tumor chemoembolization is a treatment that aims to shrink a cancerous liver tumor so it is small enough to be removed surgically. Chemoembolization of liver tumors focuses a large dose of chemotherapy directly into a tumor which reduces the blood supply to the tumor and causes it to shrink.
Why is liver tumor chemoembolization performed?
Chemoembolization of liver tumors will be performed if surgery is not feasible, or in preparation for surgery to ensure that the tumor has shrunk to a size that can be safely removed by surgery.
What does chemoembolization of liver tumors involve?
Chemoembolization of liver tumors will be performed by an interventional radiologist, who inserts a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin. A mild sedative or local anesthetic will be administered to avoid any pain and discomfort. The catheter is then guided along the femoral artery into the hepatic artery that feeds the liver. Once the catheter is in the correct place inside the liver, chemotherapy is injected into the catheter.
After the chemotherapy, a special gel or small drops will be injected into the catheter. This is to stop the blood flow to the tumor which helps kill the cancer cells by cutting off the oxygen supply. This also helps keep the chemotherapy drugs in the liver longer. Therefore, chemoembolization has a two-pronged approach; firstly chemotherapy and secondly cutting off the flow of blood and oxygen.
How is the preparation of this pathology?
First, your suitability for liver tumor chemoembolization will be determined using various scans (MRI and CT) and liver function tests. If you have any portal vein blockage (this is the vein that supplies blood from the intestine to the liver), cirrhosis or blocked bile ducts, chemoembolization may not be possible.
Possible side effects of chemoembolization of liver tumors
Nausea, pain and mild fever, known as post-embolization syndrome, are common, but can be controlled with pain relievers and anti-nausea medications. In addition, chemotherapy, in rare cases, if the liver is damaged, can cause liver failure.
Post-treatment care
Once the treatment is completed, the catheter is removed and the patient should remain on bed rest for a few hours to ensure that the catheter wound does not bleed.
Alternatives to chemoembolization of liver tumors
If you have too many side effects from chemotherapy, transarterial embolization (TAE) may be offered.