Liver Cancer Interventional Therapy: What You Need To Know

Liver cancer interventional therapy is a minimally invasive treatment option designed for patients diagnosed with liver cancer. This procedure typically involves inserting a catheter through the femoral artery in the groin area, guiding it through the major blood vessels to reach the celiac trunk and eventually the hepatic artery. Once located, the catheter is used to precisely target the blood vessels that supply the tumor.

A key step in this therapy is the delivery of iodized oil to embolize the tumor's blood supply. By blocking the arteries that feed the tumor, the treatment aims to cut off its nutrient supply, leading to ischemia and eventually tumor necrosis. This process can significantly slow down or halt the growth of the cancer.

However, it is important to understand that interventional therapy is not always a curative approach. While the main feeding arteries are blocked, tumors may still receive blood from collateral circulation. As a result, the tumor might remain partially viable even after the procedure.

To assess the effectiveness of the treatment, patients are usually advised to undergo follow-up imaging one month post-procedure. If residual tumor activity is detected, a second round of interventional therapy may be necessary to achieve complete tumor necrosis.

Ultimately, interventional therapy is considered a palliative treatment rather than a definitive cure. It plays a critical role in managing liver cancer, especially for patients who are not candidates for surgery, offering a way to control the disease and improve quality of life.