Chemo Embolization

Joe Sanderson · New User Joined: 27 Nov 2006 Posts: 3

I was diagnosed with primary liver cancer Oct. 1, 2006. One tumor was 7CM, and a couple of smaller ones. They decided I might be a candidate for a transplant and started trying to shrink the tumors. The first thing was the radiation treatment with the plastic beads, after 5 weeks we did an MRI and the large one was around the same size but I had 3 more small ones. Now they are going to do the Chemo Embolization. Do any of you have any experince with this, does it make you sick and if so for how long?
Thanks for any Info.
Joe

THE 1 · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Chemo Embolization

Dear Joe,

I guess you are lucky that the size of even your largest tumor is very small. ChemoEmbolisation is more commonly referred to as TACE (Transhepatic Arterial Chemoembolisation). As the name suggests, they put in a small tube kinda' thing through your groin till they reach the portal vein through which they reach the hepatic artery which is supplying blood to the tumor and release cycotoxic drugs in there and before returning outside, if suitable, they block that particular artery as well which in medical terminology is called embolisation.

Usually if you are in good health, the Doctor discharges you the next day after TACE. Doesn't make you feel too sick, if proper medication is given to counter the side effects. Some common side effects are a mild fever and nausea (sometimes vomitting)......

I'm not a doctor, so pardon me if i'm mistaken somewhere, i'm simply sharing my experience and some research that I did as my mother recently underwent chemoembolisation for a tumor sized 15cm approx(and i was her only attendant watching her closely) ... So before i gave consent to the doctors, i studied this in detail both over the internet and discussed it with several doctors.

Best of luck to you, just make sure that the people whom u're headed to for chemoembolisation have ample experience in this area.

Regards,

THE 1
_________________
if GOD brings you to it, HE alone will bring you through it.

Cindy O · New User Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 3

I am the caregiver for my brother-in-law age 53 who is currently undergoing chemoembolisation he will have his 3rd treatment Feb. 9th
his 1st treatment was not real bad he was sick for about 3 days very tired no appetite and slept close to 18 hours aday. Last month he had his 2nd treatment and this was much worse he was sick for nearly 3 weeks which included pain vomiting sleeping and lack of being able to eat or drink, we did go back and got meds for the vomiting which did help some. From what I see it is not a cake walk by any means. I am really looking for information as to the different stages to watch for since the doctors are not very forthcoming with information, he has been with us since Nov. 06
and has since lost almost 15 pounds and his sleep has increased while the appetite has decreased. I would like to know when we should consider bringing in hospice.

THE 1 · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2007 1:24 am Post subject: Re: Chemo Embolization

Cindy,

Different Doctors use different combinations of cycotoxic drugs in the process of chemoembolization(TACE) on different patients at various stages of their ailment. My mother is aged 52, she had two TACEs recently, one on the 27th of Dec. 06, and the second one on the 17th of Jan., 07', now the Doctors have said she does not need anymore TACE for the timebeing so i've brought her back to my home country.

After the first TACE, she had fever and little bit of nausea, she did lose appetite initially but later on she improved her appetite. After the second TACE, she did have fever for 3+ days and vomitted twice, nevertheless, the Doctors down there gave her some medication to tolerate all the side effects of TACE and now she is doing quite well, she has improved appetite, gets up from the bed twice a day and is walking around. TACE has caused tumor necrosis in her liver, however, soon we shall be starting on with chemotherapy as her cancer has spread outside the liver.

What i would suggest you is that you study your brother-in-law's case in detail since you're the sole attendant and then question the Doctors accordingly. When the Doctors know that you know a thing or two about whats going on, they'll have no choice but to answer to your queries, besides, it is the right of every patient and his/her attendant to know whats going on. You'll be signing the consent to go through with the third TACE, before you do that, make sure you have all the pre-TACE and post-TACE conditions in mind.

Regards,

THE 1
_________________
if GOD brings you to it, HE alone will bring you through it.

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