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UCLA Interventional Radiology

UCLA Interventional Radiology
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    • Aneurysm and Dissection
    • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
    • Biliary Leak
    • Biliary Obstruction
    • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
    • Encephalopathy
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UCLA Interventional Radiology

Treatments & Procedures

Treatments & Procedures

Treatments & Procedures

  • Angiography
  • Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting
  • Arterial Thrombolysis
  • Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration
  • Biliary Drainage
  • Biopsy Percutaneous
  • Chemoembolization
  • Cyst Aspiration/Sclerosis
  • Dialysis Fistula/Graft Interventions
  • Drainage Percutaneous
  • Embolization
  • Gastrostomy and Gastrojejunostomy Tube Placement
  • Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
  • Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement and Removal
  • Lung Biopsy
  • Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
  • Pulmonary Angiography and Embolization
  • Radioembolization (Y90)
  • Stent Graft Placement
  • Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
  • Transjugular Liver Biopsy
  • Tumor Ablation
  • Uterine Fibroid Embolization
  • Varicocele Embolization
  • Vascular Access Procedures
  • Venous thrombolysis and recanalization
  • Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
  • Angiography
  • Angioplasty and Vascular Stenting
  • Arterial Thrombolysis
  • Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration
  • Biliary Drainage
  • Biopsy Percutaneous
  • Chemoembolization
  • Cyst Aspiration/Sclerosis
  • Dialysis Fistula/Graft Interventions
  • Drainage Percutaneous
  • Embolization
  • Gastrostomy and Gastrojejunostomy Tube Placement
  • Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE)
  • Inferior Vena Cava Filter Placement and Removal
  • Lung Biopsy
  • Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
  • Pulmonary Angiography and Embolization
  • Radioembolization (Y90)
  • Stent Graft Placement
  • Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
  • Transjugular Liver Biopsy
  • Tumor Ablation
  • Uterine Fibroid Embolization
  • Varicocele Embolization
  • Vascular Access Procedures
  • Venous thrombolysis and recanalization
  • Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty
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  4. Chemoembolization

Chemoembolization

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Treatment for:

Liver cancer

Why it’s done:

Normal liver tissue is supplied both by the hepatic artery and by the portal vein. Liver cancers, however, are supplied almost entirely by the hepatic artery. Treatment with chemotherapy in the hepatic artery (chemo), as well as blocking the hepatic artery branches supplying the tumor (embolization), can therefore help shrink and control liver cancers while sparing much of the normal liver.

How it’s done:

An interventional radiologist uses X-rays to guide a small catheter from the femoral artery at the groin and into the hepatic artery. Contrast injection is performed to locate the cancer(s) in the liver. Each artery branch supplying the cancer is then accessed using a microcatheter and chemotherapy as well as an embolic material is administered to kill the tumor and block its blood supply.

Chemoembolization-original.png

Level of anesthesia:

Conscious sedation

Risks:

Small risk of bleeding and infection. Risk of liver failure, which depends on the baseline liver function and the amount of liver treated. Small risk of non-target embolization, in which the embolic material blocks blood supply to an organ other than liver (such as the gallbladder, intestines, or stomach). Chemotherapy effects, which can include fatigue, low blood counts, and hair loss. Contrast dye and X-rays are used.

Post-procedure:

Generally, the procedure is followed by overnight admission. You will lie flat for several hours after the procedure. Post-embolization syndrome, which can include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea, low-grade fever, and loss of appetite, can occur and typically lasts 24-48 hours. Most patients are discharged home the day after the procedure.

Follow-up:

A follow-up CT or MRI is usually performed 1 month after treatment along with clinic visit in interventional radiology to determine the results and allow for further treatment planning. Repeat chemoembolization may be performed as soon as 6 weeks after, if necessary. Sometimes chemoembolization can be followed by percutaneous ablation to attempt complete destruction of the cancer.

For More Information:

For more information or to schedule an appointment with one of our IR physicians, please call 310-481-7545.

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