During embolization , a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel supplyig the tumor. Cancer cells are then killed by injecting blocking agents to obstruct the tumor's blood supply. A catheter may also be used for arterial infusion to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs into blood vessels that directly supply the tumor. This therapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The tip of the pump catheter is placed int he hepatic artery to infuse treatment directly into the liver.
Radiation is administered by a machine directed at the body area to be treated.
Following planning with computer simulation, treatments usually are given on an outpatient basis, Monday through Friday, for two to five weeks. Radiation therapy is not used as commonly in the treatment of liver cancer as surgery and chemotherapy. Sometimes, radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy or given during surgery.