Chemoembolization Cancer Therapy

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is it?

• Chemoembolization (kee-mo-m-bol-ih-zay-shun) cancer therapy is used to treat some kinds of liver cancer. Chemotherapy (kee-mo-thair-uh-p) or "chemo" medicines are put into your liver through its blood vessels. Chemoembolization allows a large amount of chemo medicines to be used because most of it stays in the liver.
  
  
• Another material called an embolic (m-ball-ik), is also put into the liver's blood vessels. The embolic cuts off the blood supply to the liver and starves the tumor of blood. Combining chemo with a cut off blood supply is like a "double-punch" to the liver cancer. The cancer is slowed or stopped from growing. Sometimes it even shrinks.

Why do you need it? Chemo may be taken in different ways depending on the type of cancer you have. Your caregiver has decided that chemoembolization cancer therapy is best for you at this time. Even if the chemoembolization does not cure your cancer, it may help you to feel better or live longer.

Side Effects: All of the following signs are part of a normal healing liver after chemoembolization. Within a month after the procedure you should be back to your usual self.

• Pain for the first few days caused by the cancer cells dying. You will be given medicine to help control the pain. Liver pain usually gets better within the first week.
  
  
• Extreme fatigue (tiredness) for three to four weeks after the procedure. This is from the liver not working normally as it heals.
  
  
• A very poor appetite which may result in weight loss before your appetite returns.
  
  
• Fevers up to 101 degrees for one to two weeks after the treatment. You will be given medicine to help control the keep.

Care:

• Chemoembolization is done in the hospital in a special treatment room. The exact procedure depends upon the kind of embolic agent and chemo drug being used. Ask your caregiver for information about the exact embolic and chemo that you will receive.
  
  
• The treatment usually takes about two to three hours. You will be in the hospital about five to seven days after the treatment is done. Caregivers will be watching you closely to help you with your recovery. Chemoembolization can be done more than one time to treat the cancer. Your caregiver will tell you if the treatment needs to be repeated at a later time.

Coping: Accepting that you have cancer is hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, depressed, angry, or sad. These are normal feelings. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a cancer support group. This is a group of people who also have cancer. Call or write one of the following organizations for more information.

• American Cancer Society
  Phone: 1-800-227-2345
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.org
  

• National Cancer Institute
  Phone: 1-800-422-6237
  Web Address: http://www.cancer.gov
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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