How do interventional radiologists treat patients with tumors?

Hepatic Chemoembolization

  • Arterial therapies
    • Chemoembolization: anti-cancer drug is injected into blood vessel feeding the tumor, then a blocking agent is injected to trap the chemotherapy
  • Theory
    • Malignant tumors > 1cm derive are fed almost exclusively by hepatic arteries
    • Normal liver gets 75% of its blood supply from the portal vein
    • Therefore, by embolizing the arteries, tumor is destroyed and hepatic parenchyma survives
    • Chemotherapeutic agent combined with embolic material will have:
      • High local dose
      • Longer dwell time
      • Diminished systemic effect
      • Take advantage of chemosensitization effect of hypoxia 

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