Colon Cancer — Embolization or Chemoembolization: treatment in the Best Hospitals in the World
Treatment prices are regulated by national law of the corresponding countries, but can also include additional hospital coefficients. In order to receive the individual cost calculation, please send us the request and medical records.
![University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/6005635c5a6a8.jpg)
Department of Interventional Radiology
The Department of Interventional Radiology offers the full range of imaging examinations, as well as innovative image-guided minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of tumors, vascular diseases and internal pathologies (for example, CT, MRI, PET-CT, SPECT). The department's doctors have deep knowledge and colossal experience in the field of interventional radiological methods of treatment, which represent an excellent alternative to open surgical interventions. Despite the high level of technical equipment and the presence of advanced computerized systems, the focus is always on the person with his individual needs. Compliance with current clinical protocols and high professionalism of the department's specialists contribute to the successful clinical practice, as well as the reputability of the department among the best medical facilities of this kind in Germany.
![Marcus Makowski](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/61d446fd8e179.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![Aktion Saubere Hände certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_9bdd9aee.jpg)
![University Hospital Halle (Saale)](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/60004168eda58.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology offers the full range of modern radiological diagnostics and minimally invasive treatment both on an inpatient and outpatient basis. It has advanced equipment for conducting radiological studies in adults and children, as well as minimally invasive procedures under the guidance of imaging systems. There is maintained close cooperation with many departments of the hospital, which provides an interdisciplinary approach to treatment and comprehensive medical care.
![Walter Wohlgemuth](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/60097995557f9.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![Interdisplinäres Zentrum für Gefäßnomalien certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_67a4c5ca.jpg)
![University Hospital Muenster](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/600046905cf2b.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology is one of the best institutions of its kind in Germany and offers patients the full range of radiological studies and imaging-guided minimally invasive therapy. The department’s scope of tasks also includes imaging diagnostics in children of all age groups, detection and invasive treatment of cerebral vascular pathology (neuroradiology). Patient care is provided both on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
![Walter Heindel](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600a825f36807.png)
![KTQ certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ktq.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![QSR certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_qsr.png)
![FOCUS Top nationales Krankenhaus 2018 certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_f45eebcb.jpg)
![Zertifikat seit 2007 audit berufundfamilie certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_bf3387c8.jpg)
![University Hospital Saarland Homburg](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ffc47990b13a.jpg)
Department of Interventional Neuroradiology
The Department of Interventional Neuroradiology offers the full range of services in the areas of its specialization. The medical facility provides imaging diagnostics and low-traumatic image-guided interventional treatment of nervous system diseases. The department's specialists have rich experience and exceptional professional skills in the field of interventional procedures for acute and chronic vascular diseases, such as ischemic strokes, brain hemorrhages, cerebral artery stenosis, brain aneurysms, and vascular malformations. The department's neuroradiologists cooperate closely with neurologists and neurosurgeons so that each patient receives an optimal treatment regimen based on the expert opinions of the specialists. The department's medical team has state-of-the-art computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR angiography systems that are actively used for diagnosing patients and therapeutic procedures. Medical care is provided in compliance with current clinical protocols. The department also offers many outpatient medical services, which is an advantage for many patients.
![Wolfgang Reith](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/630b527e8bd9f.png)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_46275cc3.png)
![HELIOS University Hospital Wuppertal](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ffc4ddff1ac4.jpg)
Department of Neuroradiology
The Department of Neuroradiology provides the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in the areas of its specialization. The team of the department's doctors deals with the diagnostics and treatment of brain and spinal cord pathologies. The department has at its disposal state-of-the-art medical equipment, including systems for CT, MRI and myelography, thanks to which specialists can comprehensively assess the state of the nervous system, detect pathological processes at the initial stages and provide effective treatment. Among the department's therapeutic options, a special focus is on the interventional treatment of acute stroke – thrombectomy. Another important focus of the specialists' work is the treatment of cerebral vascular malformations, stenosis of the arteries of the brain and spinal cord, and cerebral aneurysms. In addition, the department provides CT-guided interventional pain management to relieve chronic back pain. The department's neuroradiologists cooperate closely with doctors from the related medical specialties: neurologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists and radiation therapists. The specialists strive to provide each patient with high quality medical care meeting his needs and wishes.
![Thorsten Schmidt](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/617a8c99542b9.png)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![Universität Witten Herdecke certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_98dcbdda.jpg)
![Aktion saubere Hände certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_39213e2b.jpg)
![Focus Top nationales Krankenhaus 2021 certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_93e3e653.jpg)
![DeGIR Zentrum - Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal Zentrum für Radiologie certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_b0026314.jpg)
![University Hospital Oldenburg](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ffc5251227c6.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology offers the full range of services in these medical fields. To ensure the accurate diagnostics and effective treatment, the department has state-of-the-art medical equipment, particularly 64-slice CT scanner, two 1.5 Tesla high-performance MRI devices, modern equipment for digital subtraction angiography (DSA), pulsed fluoroscopy and many other devices. All medical services are carried out in strict accordance with the protocols of professional societies.
![Tobias Kowald](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/60001206d1120.png)
![Charite University Hospital Berlin](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/60018c63b444d.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology offers the full range of medical services in these fields. In order to ensure the most accurate and reliable diagnostics, the department has state-of-the-art systems for CT, MRI, PET, ultrasound and X-ray examinations, as well as PET-CT and SPECT-CT hybrid examinations. The department specializes in interventional radiology, namely, imaging-guided therapy. It performs all vascular (for example, vascular recanalization) and non-vascular imaging-guided interventions (for example, tumor ablation). The department is one of the largest and leading medical facilities of this kind in Europe.
![Bernd Hamm](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600ae9898ce43.png)
![University Hospital Ulm](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ff71ab6e4686.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology specializes in modern imaging examinations and minimally traumatic image-guided interventional procedures. Of particular interest to the department's experienced medical team is individualized minimally invasive therapy for cancer and the treatment of pain syndromes and vascular pathologies. The medical facility has state-of-the-art equipment for X-ray scanning, angiography, ultrasound scanning, CT, MRI, and PET/MRI. The diagnostic devices are adapted for children, including newborns. During examinations and treatment, the department's specialists strictly meet radiation protection standards. As for treatment, special attention in clinical practice is paid to interventional procedures for vascular diseases and malignant tumors. These procedures are performed using catheter-based techniques under CT, MRI, or angiography guidance. Despite the low trauma rate of interventional manipulations, their effectiveness is comparable to full-fledged surgery. The medical facility cooperates closely with other departments at the hospital, thus providing comprehensive medical care at the highest level of university medicine. The department's successful clinical practice has been recognized by prestigious quality certificates, including the ClarZert certificate and certificates from the German Cancer Society (DKG) and the German Radiological Society (DRG).
![Meinrad Beer](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/6009928bd5366.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![DAkkS Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_64dd7d6e.jpg)
![DRG - Schwerpunkt-Zentrum Kardiovaskuläre Bildgebung certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ea66b0f3.jpg)
![University Hospital Frankfurt am Main](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/60018b76e5d59.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology provides the full range of services in these fields and specializes in conducting radiologic examinations, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy, vascular, oncological, orthopedic and urologic interventions. The department includes specialized Sections for Gynecologic, Pediatric and Orthopedic Radiology.
![Thomas Vogl](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600ae0b017513.png)
![FOCUS Top-Kliniken certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/m_focus.png)
![FOCUS-Siegel für Behandlung des Brustkrebses certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/m_focus.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![University Hospital Duesseldorf](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/600188d3bacf8.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology offers the full range of modern radiological examinations and minimally invasive imaging-guided treatment of various diseases. Most often, radiologists have to deal with the diagnostics and therapy of tumors, inflammatory processes, injuries, pathologies of the heart and vascular diseases. The combination of advanced medical technologies and high professionalism of the doctors working in the department are the key to the successful treatment results.
![Gerald Antoch](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600ad217bd3d4.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/6000497201e45.jpg)
University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Department of Adult and Pediatric Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Interventional Radiology provides the full range of medical services in the area of its specialization. The department offers modern diagnostic rooms with advanced equipment for imaging examinations for patients with suspected cancer, diseases of the cardiovascular system, thorax, abdominal organs, musculoskeletal system, and breast diseases. The department's diagnostic systems are adapted for examining children of different age groups. The medical facility also offers many therapeutic services, the most popular of which include MRI-guided treatment of uterine fibroids with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and uterine artery embolization, prostate adenoma treatment with prostate artery embolization, tumor treatment with brachytherapy, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous microwave ablation, and transarterial chemoembolization. The doctors working at the medical facility also have rich experience in the interventional treatment of vascular pathologies and arteriovenous malformations. The department has an excellent reputation and regularly diagnoses and treats patients not only from Germany but also from other countries in the world.
![Jens Ricke](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/635694728f9f9.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![SGS System Certification ISO 9001 certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_c10fb847.jpg)
![DRG - Schwerpunkt-Zentrum Kardiovaskuläre Bildgebung certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ea66b0f3.jpg)
![University Hospital Jena](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ff71956a61c8.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology, Neuroradiology offers the full range of services in these medical fields. Here patients can undergo all modern imaging diagnostic studies and therapeutic procedures, the quality of which corresponds to high international standards. The department also specializes in conducting radiological studies in children and adolescents. The cutting-edge technical equipment and the rich clinical experience of doctors contribute to the successful work of the department.
![Ulf Teichgräber](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/60095cacf320a.png)
![ISO certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iso.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![DIOCERT Zertifizierungen im Gesundheitswesen certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_9ef7f295.jpg)
![University Hospital Tuebingen](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/6000458b4633b.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic Radiology, Interventional Radiology offers the full range of services in these fields. It conducts all types of modern imaging studies: sonography, digital X-ray, angiography, multilayer computed tomography and conventional MRI, positron emission tomography (PET/CT), etc. The department also specializes in minimally invasive treatment of various tumors, vascular pathology (obstruction and vascular stenosis). The Section of Experimental Radiology is engaged in active research to optimize existing methods and develop new ones.
![Konstantin Nikolaou](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600a7d536bb14.png)
![KTQ certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ktq.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![FOCUS Top nationales Krankenhaus 2019 certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_7caf1085.jpg)
![University Hospital Würzburg](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/5ff71d14a2f75.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology offers the full range of modern diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in this field. For this purpose, it has advanced medical equipment: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multispiral computed tomography (CT), duplex sonography and digital X-ray, fluoroscopy, etc. In the field of interventional radiology, the focus is on the treatment of vascular diseases, for example, the doctors of the department conduct special measures for dilating the vessels in peripheral arterial occlusive disease and closing the vessels in complicated bleedings. Also, the range of services in this field is complemented by the installation of drainage and port systems, punctures, and special percutaneous methods for tumor treatment.
![Thorsten Bley](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600996d69138a.png)
![KTQ certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ktq.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![FOCUS Top nationales Krankenhaus 2019 certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_7caf1085.jpg)
![Zertifikat seit 2007 audit berufundfamilie certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_bf3387c8.jpg)
![Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_f75df786.jpg)
![University Hospital Heidelberg](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/60018f682a5ef.jpg)
Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology
The Department of Adult and Pediatric Diagnostic, Interventional Radiology offers the full range of services in these medical fields. It conducts all modern radiological examinations and imaging-guided minimally invasive interventions for the treatment of various benign and malignant diseases. A feature of the department is imaging diagnostics in children and adolescents. There are specially adapted devices with minimal irradiation for this purpose.
![Hans-Ulrich Kauczor](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/600af56dd37de.png)
![KTQ certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_ktq.jpg)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
![Die Deutschen Universitätsklinika certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_duk.png)
![Helios Hospital Hildesheim](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/60056e0bbca9b.jpg)
Department of Interventional Radiology
The Department of Interventional Radiology provides the full range of medical services in the area of its specialization. The team of the department's doctors specializes in diagnostic and therapeutic image-guided interventional procedures. The doctors have at their disposal the most advanced imaging devices, including X-ray systems, ultrasound devices, equipment for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. In most cases, the department's specialists perform interventions on the vessels, and therefore doctors from the Department of Vascular Surgery are often involved in the therapeutic process. The use of state-of-the-art equipment allows the patients to get rid of pathological changes in the vessels of any part of the body, excluding open invasive surgery with its high risks. The department's medical staff has excellent qualifications and vast clinical experience, so patients confidently trust their health to real professionals.
![Jörg Werhand](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/clinics/departments/60c9b009ec2e3.png)
![IQM certificate](https://static.bookinghealth.com/uploads/certificates/s_iqm.jpg)
Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. It is successfully treatable. Early-stage cancer can usually be cured with surgery. Even in end-stage cancer doctors use therapies that help control the disease for many years. One of the methods used in advanced cancer is called embolization. It is most often used to suppress metastases in the liver, less often to stop bleeding from intestinal vessels.
Content
- What is embolization and chemoembolization
- When is embolization used for colon cancer
- Hepatic artery embolization for colon cancer
- Intestinal vascular embolization
- Embolization results
- Combination of embolization with other methods
- Why it is worth undergoing embolization abroad
- Treatment in Europe with Booking Health at an affordable price
What is embolization and chemoembolization
Embolization is a blockage of blood vessels.
The therapeutic effect of the method is based on excluding the movement of blood through the arteries feeding the tumor. As a result, its ischemic necrosis occurs, which means that the tissues that do not receive oxygen quickly die off.
In terms of efficiency and safety ratio, the best clinical outcome is provided by superselective embolization. It involves the introduction of emboli into small-caliber vessels located as close to the tumor as possible. In this case, minimal damage to the healthy tissues is ensured, but the neoplasm itself is damaged as much as possible.
Chemoembolization is a treatment option for patients with colon cancer, in which chemotherapy agents are added to the emboli. They enter the tumor in large numbers, but practically do not cause any systemic side effects. Depending on the chemoembolization technique and the drug used, the effect of the chemotherapy drug lasts for several days or weeks.
The treatment procedure is minimally invasive. The doctor gains access to the blood vessels feeding the tumor through an artery in the patient's leg or arm. A small incision in the groin, armpit, or forearm is sufficient to provide this access. Since the trauma rate of therapy is minimal, the patient does not have to recover for a long time, and the length of a hospital stay usually does not exceed 1 week.
Embolization can rarely cause complications. When compared with other cancer treatments, patient tolerance is good. During the first 2-3 days, some patients develop postembolization syndrome. It manifests itself in pain and an increase in body temperature, which is associated with the death of tissues cut off from the blood supply. Other clinical symptoms are also possible: nausea, vomiting, jaundice. The patient receives drugs that lower body temperature and relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually sufficient. Narcotic analgesics are used very rarely.
When is embolization used for colon cancer
For patients with colon cancer, embolization is not considered a standard treatment option. Cancer is usually treated with surgery. Moreover, at stages 1-2, the operation is not supplemented with chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Embolization or chemoembolization is used primarily in patients with stage 4 cancer, in one of two cases:
- Development of metastatic foci of colorectal cancer in the liver. In this case, hepatic artery embolization is performed.
- Unresectable primary intestinal tumor that is complicated by bleeding.
Colon cancer with severe bleeding in patients is rare, and in most cases this is eliminated by endoscopic methods: the endoscope is inserted through the anus into the colon and the bleeding vessel is "cauterized". Therefore, in clinical practice, most embolization procedures for the treatment of colon cancer are performed in patients with metastatic lesions of the liver.
Hepatic artery embolization for colon cancer
At stage 4 colon cancer, distant metastases appear. They are most often found in the liver. This is due to the fact that blood flows from the colon through the portal vein system. Cancer cells settle in the liver and give rise to the growth of new tumors.
Colorectal cancer metastases in the liver are 10-20 times more common than liver cancer. They appear in 20-50% of patients with colon cancer. Moreover, in every fourth patient, stage 4 of the disease is established only on the basis that metastases appear in the liver. At the same time, other metastatic foci in the patient may be absent, and the primary tumor is not always large.
The patient's survival largely depends on how effectively liver metastases are controlled. Colon resection is usually the first treatment. The doctor removes part of the organ along with the tumor. Whenever possible, liver metastases are also surgically removed, as this treatment option provides the best survival rates for patients.
However, most liver metastases are unresectable. Therefore, other methods are used to control them. Most often, these are ablation or chemoembolization.
Ablation is the destruction of metastatic foci with various types of energy. The radiofrequency or microwave methods are the most common. A probe is inserted into the liver tissue, and the metastases are destroyed by high temperature. Nonetheless, the possibilities of the method are limited. It is not used for large metastases. Even small metastatic foci cannot always be destroyed if they are located near large vessels or bile ducts.
Therefore, the most common method of dealing with liver metastases is hepatic artery chemoembolization. It allows destroying neoplasms of almost any size and location. The treatment procedure is minimally invasive and safe.
The liver has a dual source of blood supply. The organ receives 75% of blood from the portal vein and 25% from the hepatic artery, but metastases of a malignant tumor feed on arterial blood for 90%. Therefore, when the hepatic artery is closed, the healthy liver parenchyma is minimally damaged, while the metastases are reduced in size by 50-90%.
Advantages of the method:
- Minimally invasive treatment.
- The method can be combined with any methods of therapy.
- It can be performed multiple times.
- The first procedure is effective in almost 100% of cases.
- It does not significantly impair liver function in most patients.
- It can be used even with large metastases or metastases located near large vessels.
Intestinal vascular embolization
Intestinal vascular embolization is rare. As a rule, the only purpose of this procedure is to stop bleeding.
Embolization is used without regional chemotherapy. The lumen of the vessels can be closed with spirals, alcohols, adhesive compositions, etc. Depending on where the tumor is located and where the bleeding started from, these can be different arteries. To find out its source, contrast-enhanced radiation diagnostics is used.
Unlike rectal cancer, colon cancer rarely causes severe bleeding. Even at the end-stage, only one in 10 patients suffers from it. Moreover, only in one out of 50 patients bleeding leads to massive blood loss.
Embolization is not considered the treatment of choice for stopping bleeding. Initially, the doctor seeks to stop it with an endoscopic method. However, with severe bleeding, this is not always possible: sometimes during a colonoscopy, a bleeding vessel is not visible, it is not possible to coagulate it, or a colonoscopy is generally impossible due to the presence of a tumor in the intestine. In such situations, they resort to embolization. It allows doctors to quickly stop bleeding even from large vessels in almost all patients.
Most often, microcoils are used to close the lumen of bleeding arteries. They initiate the formation of blood clots, which stop the movement of blood through the blood vessel. European doctors perform superselective embolization to minimize the risk of ischemia (oxygen deprivation) of the colon wall.
Embolization results
Intestinal vascular embolization is performed for palliative purposes. This procedure is not intended to increase the patient's life expectancy and local control of the tumor. Its task is only to relieve symptoms, prevent or stop life-threatening bleeding. The prognosis is determined not by the embolization procedure itself, but by other factors: how large the tumor is, at what stage the disease is, and whether surgical treatment is planned.
Most patients with a large intestine receive arterial chemoembolization (tace) for liver metastases. The procedure provides slightly worse clinical results in comparison with the surgical procedure, namely liver resection. However, if performed well, it is effective in all patients.
The average period without disease progression after arterial chemoembolization (tace) is 8-10 months. The two-year patient survival rate is 50-60%. Many will live more than 5 years if they receive good quality combination treatment.
The prognosis for patients with stage 4 colorectal cancer is determined not only by suppression of liver metastases. It is also important to control primary tumor and metastatic lesions in other areas of the body, such as the brain, lungs, and bones. Chemoembolization successfully restrains metastatic foci in the liver and can be repeated, if necessary.
Combination of embolization with other methods
To obtain the best clinical results in colon cancer therapy, patients in Europe receive combination therapy. Tumor foci can be affected by different methods – local and systemic.
With liver metastases, hepatic artery chemoembolization is often complemented by ablation. Doctors destroy small tumor foci with radiofrequency or microwave methods.
Some patients have metastatic lesions in the lungs or brain. Whenever possible, doctors remove them surgically. If surgery cannot be performed, then irradiation is used. Doctors abroad have at their disposal the very latest types of radiation therapy, which deliver radiation very accurately, with minimal damage to the healthy tissues surrounding the tumor.
Even in stage 4 colon cancer, surgery can be performed. The doctors remove part of the intestine with the tumor, and liver metastases are controlled using chemoembolization.
Cancer can spread to the peritoneum. This condition is called peritoneal carcinomatosis. Such patients undergo cytoreductive surgery. The doctor removes part of the colon and all tumor foci. The treatment abroad is often supplemented with intraperitoneal chemotherapy. It increases the risk of side effects, but significantly improves patient survival rates.
In end-stage cancer, most patients receive systemic therapy. In Europe, it is not only conventional cytostatic chemotherapy, but also targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
Why it is worth undergoing embolization abroad
Many patients with colon cancer travel abroad to receive more effective treatment. In the developed countries of Europe, the very latest therapeutic methods are used, and therefore even in case of end-stage cancer, the life expectancy of patients can reach 5-10 years.
There are several reasons why you should undergo chemoembolization in Europe:
- Highly accurate diagnostics can detect all cancer metastases in order to perfectly plan treatment.
- Chemoembolization with drug-saturable microspheres is preferred – this is a new technique that provides better clinical results, and at the same time has less toxicity compared to oil chemoembolization.
- Whenever possible, doctors try to treat patients with superselective embolization, since the technique is safer – it involves closing the lumen of small vessels as close to the tumor as possible.
- Radial access (through the radial artery) is preferred to minimize the risk of complications.
- For colon cancer treatment in Europe, different methods of treatment can be combined: surgery, ablation, chemoembolization, radiation therapy, systemic drug therapy.
The best European hospitals have state-of-the-art equipment. They are staffed by doctors who have a high reputation in the world. Therefore, in Europe, the best results are achieved in the fight against colon cancer.
Treatment in Europe with Booking Health at an affordable price
To undergo cancer treatment in one of the European hospitals, please use the services of Booking Health. On our website, you can see the cost of treatment for colon cancer in different hospitals, compare prices and book a medical care program at an affordable price. The cost of embolization or chemoembolization for colon cancer is between 24,340 EUR and 41,200 EUR. Arterial embolization in European hospitals will be easier and faster for you, and the cost of treatment will be lower.
Please leave a request on our website. Our employee will contact you and advise you about treatment in Europe. Booking Health will take care of the organization of your trip. We will provide the following benefits for you:
- We will choose a hospital for treatment in Europe, whose doctors specialize in the treatment of metastatic colon cancer.
- We will help you overcome the language barrier, establish communication with your attending physician.
- We will reduce the waiting time for the start of the medical care program and book a doctor's appointment on the most suitable dates.
- We will reduce the price. The cost of treatment in German hospitals will be lower due to the lack of additional coefficients for foreign patients.
- We will take care of all organizational issues: documents for entering the country, transfer from the airport, hotel, interpreter, etc.
- We will prepare a cancer treatment program and translate medical documents. You do not have to repeat the previously performed diagnostic procedures.
- We will provide communication with the hospital after treatment in Europe.
- We will organize additional diagnostic examinations and treatment in European hospitals, if necessary.
- We will buy medicines for cancer therapy abroad and forward them to your native country.
- We will help you keep in touch with the hospital and the doctor after treatment in Europe
You will receive treatment from the best doctors in the world. The Booking Health employees will help reduce the cost of treatment for cancer and solve all organizational issues, and you will only have to focus on restoring your health.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko