At the same time, a double effect is achieved by clogged the vessels feeding the cancer and leaving the cancer cells without nutrients and oxygen. Also called TAKE and TACE.
It is one of the targeted locoregional (local) cancer treatment methods applied by Interventional Radiology specialists who are competent in their field. Professor of Interventional Radiology and Interventional Oncology. Dr. Murat Cantaşdemir told you what you need to know about chemoembolization used in the treatment of liver cancer.
WHICH CANCER TYPES ARE PREFERRED FOR THE TREATMENT?
It is used in the treatment of liver cancer (HCC and cholangiocarcinoma), which is not suitable for surgical treatment and liver transplantation, and resistant liver metastases (such as colon, breast, lung, pancreatic, neuroendocrine, gastric cancer metastasis) that do not respond to chemotherapy.
Patients with a diagnosis of HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) who are not suitable for surgical treatment or liver transplantation may become eligible for surgical treatment or liver transplantation after chemoembolization treatment (down staging).
Chemoembolization treatment (bridging, bridging) can be applied to patients with cirrhosis and HCC who are eligible for liver transplantation, so that HCC does not progress and falls off the waiting list.
It can be applied in the treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that has no chance of surgical treatment.
HOW IS IT APPLIED?
It is performed by angiography under local anesthesia. By entering the artery in the groin or wrist region, the vessels feeding the cancer in the liver are reached with a very thin micro-catheter. Drug-loaded microspheres are injected into the vessels feeding the cancer. The aim is to give high-dose chemotherapy drugs to the cancer tissue, to occlude the nourishing vessels, to leave the cancer cells without nutrients and oxygen, and to cause them to die.
It is desirable to come early in the morning on an empty stomach. A blood sample is taken for blood analysis by opening the vascular access. The procedure is painless and does not involve surgical incisions and stitches. It lasts for 1-2 hours, there will be 1 night hospitalization, the patients can return to working life after 2 days.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- Performed with local anesthesia,
- No incisions and stitches,
- Hospitalization for a maximum of 1 day,
- Short processing time of 1-2 hours,
- Being able to return to working life after 2 days,
- High response to treatment
- Less side effects,
- Ability to prolong survival.
- It can be an option for patients who are not suitable for surgical treatment or who do not respond to chemotherapy.