HEPATIC CHEMOEMBOLIZATION

Course overview

CHEMOEMBOLIZATION IS THE TECHNIQUE OF INJECTING SUBSTANCES DESIGNED TO DECREASE OR STOP TUMOR GROWTH INTO THE ARTERIES THAT FEED A TUMOR. INJECTED SUBSTANCES INCLUDE CHEMOTHERAPY MEDICATION ALONG WITH PARTICLES THAT DECREASE THE SUPPLY OF OXYGEN AND NUTRIENTS TO THE TUMOR. CHEMOEMBOLIZATION IS ONE OF SEVERAL TECHNIQUES GEARED TOWARD TREATING EITHER PRIMARY LIVER CANCER OR CANCER THAT HAS METASTASIZED TO THE LIVER. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN PERFORMING HEPATIC CHEMOEMBOLIZATION. THIS ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY LIVER CANCER OR LIVER METASTASES.