After the Procedure

What to expect after your loco-regional therapy procedure

EXPECTATIONS AT HOME
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE

Most patients will experience, to varying degrees, some form of post-embolization syndrome. The most commonly reported symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, tiredness and sometimes pain which persists for a minimum of 2-3 days and may be present for as long as a week or two after the procedure. Patients commonly describe it as a like a bad flu. Like surgical patients, it is most severe in the hours and days immediately following the procedure and diminishes with time. It is generally well controlled by the use of oral medications. Unlike surgical recovery we won’t limit your activity. After a few days you can resume your usual activities and do anything you feel like doing.

Further Treatment

Chemo-embolization and Yttrium-90 therapies are most effective over time and usually require multiple treatments to get maximal effect. The size of the tumors will diminish slowly with the maximum effect seen by 6 months and, typically, within 2-3 months. Everyone is different but most patients will have 2 treatments initially. These are spaced at least one month apart to allow plenty of time to evaluate the liver and confirm that it is tolerating the treatments well.

Patients with multiple lesions or lesions in both lobes of the liver will require more treatments. Some patients will have both chemo-embolization and yttrium-90 treatments. In that case we usually start with the yttrium-90 treatment first. Follow-up imaging will guide the need for additional treatments. And, of course, all treatment decisions will be made in consultation with your hepatologist or oncologist.

When to call

Swelling or Bruising

If your leg hurts or feels weak; If you develop a knot or swelling in your groin or a particularly large bruise; If you aren’t sure.

Worsening Pain or Nausea

If you have worsening pain or nausea; or, if you stop getting better each day and start to get worse or develop new symptoms.

No Improvement

Generally most patients feel noticeably better by post procedure day 5 and feel great around days 14-21. If you are not following this general pattern of improvement; If you have high, persistent fevers (101.5 F); If your pain is getting worse; If you are feeling worse please call.