Chemo-embolization of inoperable liver tumors

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Malignant liver tumors often necessitate palliative care for patients unsuitable for radical surgery.
• Alternative palliative treatments like thermoablation, cryoablation, and chemoembolization aim to prolong quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of chemoembolization as a palliative treatment for malignant liver tumors.
• To evaluate complications, overall survival, and quality of life in patients undergoing chemoembolization.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 18 patients with inoperable liver metastases or hepatocellular carcinoma underwent chemoembolization.
• Data collected included complications, survival rates, quality of life, and hospitalization duration.
• Procedures were performed between 2007 and 2008 at the Surgical and Radiodiagnostic Clinics.

Main Results:

• The most frequent complications were fever and right upper quadrant pain.
• Patients reported a very good quality of life post-procedure.
• Average hospitalization was 3.5 days, with 30% requiring repeat procedures.
• The treatment was applied to inoperable colorectal carcinoma liver metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions:

• Chemoembolization is a viable palliative option for malignant liver tumors, enhancing patient quality of life.
• The procedure is associated with manageable complications and short hospital stays.
• It provides a valuable alternative for patients with inoperable liver malignancies.