Breast Cancer Chemoembolization
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Chemoembolization for Breast Cancer
When breast cancer metastasizes, it means the disease has spread from the breast and axillary (underarm) lymph glands to other body sites through the bloodstream. The liver is a common site for breast cancer to spread, since the body’s blood supply is filtered by the liver.
The experts at CTCA use innovative breast cancer chemotherapy delivery options, such as chemoembolization, to fight breast cancer that has spread to the liver.
In chemoembolization, your doctor administers a highly-concentrated dose of chemotherapy drugs, followed by tiny beads called microspheres, directly into blood vessels that feed the liver tumor in order to immobilize (or block) blood flow to the tumor and/or surrounding tissue. Without a blood supply, the tumor no longer has the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow.
Chemoembolization allows high doses of chemotherapy drugs to be targeted directly to the cancerous portion of the liver for a longer period of time, without exposing the entire body to the effect of the drugs.
Supportive Therapies
Your CTCA care team anticipates and proactively manages the potential side effects of breast cancer chemotherapy treatments, such as nausea and fatigue. Before, during and after your treatment, you will receive supportive therapies designed to keep you strong and nutritionally fortified, reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and increase your sense of well-being and self-esteem.
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