Chemoembolization: What It Is, Types, Applications and Costs

Chemoembolization

Chemoembolization is an effective and minimally invasive treatment method used to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells. This method stops the blood flow that nourishes the tumor, making it difficult for cancer cells to survive, and simultaneously attempts to kill cancer cells through chemotherapy drugs applied directly to the tumor. Chemoembolization is considered an important treatment option, particularly in certain types of cancer such as liver cancer. In this article prepared for you, we will attempt to answer frequently asked questions about what chemoembolization is, its types, and which cancer types it is applied to.

What is Chemoembolization?

Chemoembolization is a method used in cancer treatment that prevents the growth and spread of cancer cells by blocking blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tumor. During this procedure, chemotherapy drugs are applied directly to the tumor with the aim of killing cancer cells. Chemoembolization is a minimally invasive procedure that is generally performed under local anesthesia and requires the patient to stay in the hospital for a short period.

What are the Types of Chemoembolization?

Chemoembolization can be classified into different types according to the materials and techniques used. The two main types of chemoembolization are as follows;

Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE); In this method, a thin tube called a catheter is placed in the artery that carries blood to the tumor. Subsequently, chemotherapy drugs are administered to the tumor, and then blood flow is stopped using a substance called an embolic agent. In this way, the tumor's blood supply is cut off and cancer cells are killed.

Radioembolization; In this method, radioactive microspheres are used to place an embolic agent into the artery carrying blood to the tumor. Radioactive microspheres deliver radiation directly to cancer cells to prevent tumor growth and simultaneously stop blood flow to prevent tumor nourishment.

Which Cancer Types is Chemoembolization Applied To?

Chemoembolization can be used in many types of cancer, particularly liver cancer. Liver cancer is the most common type of cancer in which chemoembolization is applied, because tumors in the liver are generally dependent on blood supply and can be effectively treated using this method. Additionally, chemoembolization can be used in other cancer types such as liver metastases, kidney cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, and certain soft tissue sarcomas. However, the applicability of chemoembolization depends on factors such as the patient's overall health status, the stage of cancer, and the location of the tumor. Therefore, a physician should decide whether chemoembolization is an appropriate treatment option.

How is the Chemoembolization Procedure Performed?

The chemoembolization procedure is performed by an interventional radiologist and generally requires one night hospitalization.

The procedure is performed in the following steps;

• Local anesthesia is applied to the patient and a thin tube (catheter) is placed in a large artery in the groin area.

• The interventional radiologist guides the catheter to the arteries that supply nutrients to the tumor. During this phase, the procedure is monitored using X-ray imaging and contrast medium.

• Once the artery feeding the tumor is reached, a mixture of cancer drug and special particles called embolic agents is injected. This mixture blocks the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the tumor and causes cancer cells to die.

• When the procedure is completed, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to stop patient bleeding.

• The patient generally stays in the hospital for one night and is discharged the next day.

What are the Side Effects of the Chemoembolization Procedure?

Although chemoembolization is a minimally invasive method, it can cause some side effects. These side effects are as follows;

A condition that manifests with symptoms such as fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain following the procedure. These symptoms typically resolve within a few days and can be controlled with medications.

The cancer drug may spread to healthy tissues. This means that the cancer drug can reach healthy tissues outside the tumor and cause side effects. These side effects vary depending on the type of drug and the patient's overall health status.

There is a risk of bleeding and infection during and after the procedure. These complications vary depending on the physician's experience in performing the procedure and the patient's overall health status.

As a result of rapid death of tumor cells, toxic substances may accumulate in the body and lead to serious complications such as kidney failure.

What are the Advantages of the Chemoembolization Procedure?

The chemoembolization procedure has certain advantages compared to other methods used in the treatment of liver tumors. These advantages are as follows;

• Chemoembolization is a less invasive method compared to open surgery. This means patients have a faster recovery period and carry a lower risk of complications.

• Chemoembolization achieves high tumor control rates by cutting off the tumor's blood supply and injecting cancer drugs directly into the tumor.

• Since the cancer drug is injected directly into the tumor during the chemoembolization procedure, the risk of the drug spreading to other areas of the body is lower. This means patients experience fewer systemic side effects.

• Chemoembolization can be combined with other cancer treatments (radiotherapy, immunotherapy, etc.) and can increase the effectiveness of these treatments.

• Chemoembolization can improve patients' quality of life by stopping tumor growth and alleviating symptoms.

Chemoembolization Treatment Costs in Turkey

Turkey has achieved international recognition through its investments and efforts in healthcare. Particularly, the latest technological devices used in diagnostic and treatment procedures have brought hope for many diseases. Furthermore, there has been an increase in medical tourism to Turkey.

The reasons for preference include;

• Hospitals being large, clean, spacious, and fully equipped with technological devices,

• Turkish doctors being specialist, successful, and talented in their fields,

• Nurses and patient care attendants being friendly and compassionate,

• Questions being answered quickly and accurately,

• All personnel, including the intermediary company involved in patient care, being patient and understanding,

• Turkey offering vacation opportunities with its natural and historical beauties,

• Ease of transportation,

• Meeting needs such as diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, food, drink, clothing, and vacation at affordable prices.

We can see that patients and patient families seeking to come to Turkey inquire about Chemoembolization Treatment Costs in Turkey. However, it would not be appropriate to provide definitive pricing information at this stage. Many factors affect pricing such as the type and stage of the disease, diagnostic process, treatment process, and length of stay in Turkey. If you would like to obtain more detailed pricing information, you can contact us. Additionally, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with an invitation letter that we send to the consulate.