Fevers up to 101 degrees may last for one to tow weeks and these can be treated safely with Tylenol. In general these are all signs of a normal recuperation following chemoembolization, as the tumor is dying and shrinking within the liver. During the first month following embolization, it is important to check in routinely to let the physician know how your recovery is progressing. If the pain suddenly changes in degree or character, or if the fever becomes suddenly higher than it had been, it is important to let your physician know right away. Any other unusual change should also be communicated immediately.
Most people are back to their usual state of health one month after the procedure.
They then return for a CT scan and blood tests to determine the size of the treated tumor and how well the chemoembolization worked. If there is tumor on both sides of the liver, only one half will be treated at first, and after one month, patients will return to the hospital for the second half of the chemoembolization. In that case, a CT scan will be done after the completion of the second chemoembolization. CT scans will be performed every three months thereafter to determine how much the tumors ultimately shrink, and to see if and when any new tumors arise in the liver. Chemoembolization can be repeated many times over the course of many years, as long as it remains technically feasible and the patient continues to be healthy enough to tolerate repeat procedures.