Not so long ago, diseases like liver cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumors,chemoembolization therapy, and sarcomas had a poor prognosis. However, modern methods of treatment allow stopping the pathological process without causing harm to healthy organs and tissues.
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What is chemoembolization
Chemoembolization is a modern method of cancer treatment, based on the introduction of a chemotherapy drug into a vessel feeding the tumor, followed by its blockage (embolization) with a synthetic substance.
With intravenous administration of drugs, the therapeutic concentration is achieved only for a short time and it often does not have the necessary effect on tumor cells. Potential deterioration of the detoxification function of the liver limits the use of higher doses of anticancer drugs.
One of the solutions to this problem is the introduction of the chemoembolization technique into clinical practice.
Benefits of chemoembolization
Chemoembolization has several advantages over the common treatment methods:
- Low invasiveness of the procedure
- Possibility of affecting inoperable tumors
- Minimal toxic effect of a chemotherapy drug
- Ability to deliver a higher concentration of an anticancer agent to the affected organ
- Providing a prolonged effect of the chemotherapy drug on the tumor
- Minimal risk of complications development during and after the procedure
Chemoembolization can be effectively used in the complex treatment for liver cancer along with traditional methods, as preoperative therapy in the treatment of inoperable tumors, and also as an independent treatment method.
How does chemoembolization for the treatment of liver cancer work?
The liver receives blood through two large vessels: the hepatic artery and the portal vein. Most of the healthy tissue receives blood supply from the hepatic artery, and it often provides blood supply to malignant tumors as well. Liver embolization involves the blockage of the hepatic artery branches.
How is chemoembolization performed?
Chemoembolization is performed under local anesthesia. The surgical approach to the hepatic vessels is made by a tiny incision in the groin-femoral region. A thin catheter is inserted through the femoral artery, which is moved to the hepatic artery under X-ray control. Modern equipment allows the doctor to determine whether the catheter is in the right place. This excludes the spread of used substances to other vessels.
Then a mixture of a chemotherapeutic drug and embolizing substance is injected. Due to the intense blood flow, it spreads through the smallest hepatic vessels. A doctor takes a series of control images and removes the catheter. All treatment lasts for about an hour and a half.
The positive effect of treatment is explained by two factors: the local effect of the chemotherapy drug on tumor cells and the cessation of tumor nutrition.
The best treatment results are noted if the tumor has affected no more than 10% of the liver.
How can I undergo treatment during a lockdown?
Many countries have closed their borders following the lockdown regimen, due to the spread of the COVID-19. Thus, undergoing treatment abroad has become more complicated.
In case you need to undergo chemoembolization promptly, to continue your treatment abroad, or to make sure you get the best treatment possible, know that you can still undergo treatment abroad even if your country is in lockdown.
Booking Health can facilitate the arrangement of chemoembolization therapy abroad providing the following services:
- Communication with the chosen hospital
- Providing patients with up-to-date information about the cost of treatment
- Translation of medical reports
- Solving the issues with receiving a medical visa, even if the request for a visa has been declined
- If due to lockdown the embassy is closed completely, Booking Health resolves the issue through the federal police
- Medical visa extension when it is necessary to continue the treatment abroad
- Flight and accommodation booking
- Interpreting services
You can be free of unnecessary stress, while Booking Health takes care of all organizational issues. To specify any information, you may leave a request on the Booking Health website, and a medical advisor will contact you shortly.