Isolated Perfusion Treatment

 

Isolated perfusion chemotherapy treatments allow physicians to administer higher dosages of drugs that, if dispensed to the entire body, could be toxic. However, localizing the affected areas of malignant tumors in the body prior to injecting stronger doses of the chosen chemotherapy drug can assist in the prevention of the tumor growth. This procedure is not toxic to the body as it is performed in a confined vascular area. Isolated perfusion is a good option for those whose tumors are not removable due to location, size, or risks of further complications. Results have shown that tumor sizes can decrease with isolation perfusion treatments. This is beneficial for patients who have tumors that were initially far too large to surgically remove due to complications. As the tumor experiences shrinkage from the isolated perfusion treatments, surgical removal can then be reconsidered. 

 

How it’s Done

 

When preparing for isolated perfusion treatments, incisions are made in selected areas after the patient has been administered a general anesthetic. Those who are allergic to penicillin-based anesthetics should discuss this with their physicians prior to any surgical activity. Selected vessels/veins/arteries in the area in which the tumor exists are isolated with umbilical tape at two points. An incision is then made in the section that lies between the two points of umbilical tapes, one incision per vessel/vein/artery. A catheter (thin tube) is then inserted into each of these incisions. Through these catheter tubes, a more concentrated dose of selected chemotherapy drug is administered locally and intravenously. Essentially, isolated perfusion is a procedure that perfuses the vascular supply found in the area of the tumor with a very concentrated dosage of a selected chemotherapeutic drug (Alimta, Gemzar, Cisplatin, or Mutamycin). During the isolation perfusion treatment process, the chemotherapy drugs are utilized as an adjuvant to surgical excisions. As with other surgeries, isolated perfusion methods still have side effects.

 

Post-Operative Side Effects

 

Side effects that could be experienced post-operatively from an isolated perfusion treatment include: