What is liver embolization?
Tumour embolization is a procedure to shrink a liver tumour by cutting off its blood supply. The doctor put a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, into an artery in your groin or in your arm. The catheter was guided into the liver artery (the hepatic artery) that supplies blood to the tumour.
How is arterial embolization done?
During arterial embolization, a small incision (cut) is made in the inner thigh and a catheter (thin, flexible tube) is inserted and guided into an artery near the tumor or abnormal tissue. Once the catheter is in place, small particles made of tiny gelatin sponges or beads are injected.
Does chemoembolization cure liver cancer?
Chemoembolization may be used as a standalone treatment or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or radiofrequency ablation. Chemoembolization is a treatment for liver cancer, but it is not a cure. It may provide relief from symptoms and the stress of a serious illness.
How long does it take to recover from liver embolization?
Sometimes, it can take 4-6 weeks to fully recover from the procedure. Because healthy liver tissue can be affected, there is a risk that liver function will get worse after embolization. This risk is higher if a large branch of the hepatic artery is embolized.
What is the success rate of TACE?
TACE is a treatment, not a cure. Approximately 70 percent of the patients will see improvement in the liver and, depending on the type of liver cancer, it may improve survival rates and quality of life.
Can you fully recover from liver cancer?
If you have advanced liver cancer it might be very hard to treat. It may not be possible to cure the cancer. If this is the case, the aim of your treatment will be to limit the cancer and its symptoms, and help you live longer. Finding out the cancer cannot be cured can be very hard news to take in.
Is TACE procedure painful?
Pain is a common complication after TACE and is considered to be related to the distention of the liver capsule, tumor necrosis, acute liver parenchymal ischemia, and inadvertent embolization of the cystic artery.