Embolization Method
Along with the developments in cancer treatments, Interventional Radiology, the therapeutic branch of radiology, is also progressing rapidly.
Along with the developments in cancer treatments, Interventional Radiology, the therapeutic branch of radiology, is also progressing rapidly. With new developments, Interventional Radiology has now been included in the group of minimally invasive surgical methods as a separate branch of specialization. Radioembolization treatment proves this and virtually prevents tumors. Anadolu Health Center Interventional Radiology Specialist Dr. Murat Dökdök points out that this treatment method extends the lifespan of patients and shares interesting information in this article.
Embolization: The Liver Is Clean With It!
Embolization actually means “blockage of the vessel”. It is one of the treatment methods used by interventional radiology and is a treatment performed by reaching the relevant organ by using angiographic method through the vein to destroy tumors. The method can be applied to many organs with cancer, but currently the organ where the effects of these treatments are best proven is the liver. The liver, which is the area where cancer types most frequently spread, is the most critical organ. Embolization is performed not only for metastases that spread to the liver, but also for tumors originating directly from the liver tissue. This method is used in cases other than the liver, for example in lung tumors and kidney tumors and tumors, etc. It can also be applied in bleeding cases due to other reasons.
How is Embolization Done?
In the embolization method, which is an angiographic procedure, first the relevant organ vessels and then the diseased vessels in this organ are reached with small tubes, which we call a catheter, from the groin or sometimes from the arm. Then, vascular-occlusive substances are injected into the diseased veins through these catheters. This process takes about an hour, although it varies depending on the patient’s condition. In general, surgical removal of the tumor in liver cancer can prolong the patient’s life, but if the size of the tumor, its location, and the condition of the tumor and the patient prevent surgery, embolization treatments can also be used in these cases.
What is Radioembolization?
As with other embolization treatments, in angiography-guided radioembolization, microspheres (small particles that emit radiation) loaded with radioactive isotopes are administered to the tumor vascular bed. So, in a sense, we can say that ‘radiotherapy’ is applied from inside the body. The benefit of this method, compared to externally administered radiotherapy, is that high doses of radiation can be applied into the tumor by entering only a limited area of the liver. Thus, unlike external radiotherapy, the rays do not damage neighboring tissues. Moreover, this treatment does not require hospitalization of the patient.
New Methods in Embolization
While the biggest health problems in society are benign uterine tumors (myoma) in women and prostate enlargement (prostatism) in men, the use of embolization treatment in these patients is becoming more and more common. For example, approximately one-third of women will undergo hysterectomy surgery during their lifetime, and myomas are the most common reason for this. In controlled studies conducted on myoma treatment with embolization, it was found that patients experienced less recovery and pain compared to surgery, and satisfaction with the success of the procedure was higher than surgery.
In metastases originating from the intestinal system that spread to the liver; Approximately 30 percent of these patients have a metastatic finding at the time the disease is diagnosed. Surgical removal of metastases in the liver prolongs patient life, but only 15-20 percent of patients are suitable for surgical removal of metastases from the liver. This means that 80-85 percent of patients are not suitable for removal of metastases from their liver. At this point, embolization methods called minimal surgery come into play. A tumor response rate of 90 percent can be achieved in embolization treatments. The aim here is to increase the life expectancy of patients and thus their quality of life.
Tumors Disguise to Survive
Tumor cells, just like viruses, can take on different forms every year. The first tumor cells that appear can change shape as they spread around. Even tumor cells in the same tissue may have different genetic structures over time. This is one of the problems that makes treatment difficult, and radioembolization is a powerful and effective treatment method here. The medical world is now trying to unravel this disguise ability of tumors.
