Alcohol Ablation for Thyroid Cancer

What is Alcohol Ablation for Thyroid Cancer

Alcohol ablation, also called percutaneous ethanol injection, is a cancer treatment that is done to destroy a tumor without removing it from the body. The treatment is typically done to destroy smaller tumors.

During this treatment, alcohol is injected into a tumor to kill cancer cells. Depending on the size of the tumor, the treatment may be repeated the following day or within the same week.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Fever.
• Pain, bruising, or swelling near the site where the alcohol was injected.
• Severe pain. This can happen if alcohol leaks into surrounding tissues.
• Allergic reactions to medicines or dyes.
• Infection.
• Damage to other structures or organs.
• Bleeding.
• Hoarseness.
• Trouble swallowing or speaking.
• Scarring.

What happens before the procedure?

General instructions

• Follow any instructions regarding eating and drinking restrictions prior to the procedure as told by your health care provider.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.

What happens during the procedure?

• To lower your risk of infection:
  • Your health care team will wash or sanitize their hands.
  • Your skin will be washed with soap.
• An IV tube may be inserted into one of your veins.
• You may be given one or more of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• An ultrasound or CT scan will be used to locate the tumor.
• Alcohol will be injected into the tumor through a needle.
• A bandage (dressing)will be placed over the site where the needle entered the skin (injection site).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until any medicines you were given have worn off.
• You may be given medicine to help manage pain.

Summary

• Alcohol ablation is a type of cancer treatment that destroys tumors without removing them. It is typically done to destroy smaller tumors.
• During this procedure, alcohol is injected into the tumor to kill cancer cells. In some cases, the procedure is repeated the following day or within the same week.
• Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur.
• You may be given medicine to help manage pain after the procedure.
• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a sedative.

Alcohol Ablation for Thyroid Cancer, Care After

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

• Pain, bruising, swelling, or a burning sensation near the site where a needle entered your skin to inject alcohol (injection site). The pain may be severe if the alcohol leaks into surrounding tissue.
• Pain or a burning sensation around your jaw or behind your ears.
• A fever.

Follow these instructions at home:

Driving

• Do notdrive for 24 hours if you were given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
• Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.

Injection site care

• Check the injection site every day for signs of infection. Check for:
  • Redness, swelling, or pain.
  • Fluid or blood.
  • Warmth.
  • Pus or a bad smell.
• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of the injection site. Make sure you:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing). If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.

Activity

• Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
• Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

General instructions

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. You will need to see your health care provider to check if the treatment has worked. You may also need to return to have the procedure repeated.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You develop hoarseness in your voice.
• You have difficulty speaking or swallowing.
• You develop tingling in your fingers, toes, or lips.
• You develop muscle cramps or muscle spasms.
• You feel weak.
• You feel more tired than usual.
• You feel anxious or nervous.
• You have redness, swelling, or pain around your injection site.
• You have fluid or blood coming from your injection site.
• The injection site feels warm to the touch.
• You have pus or a bad smell coming from your injection site.
• You have a fever that lasts more than one day.

Get help right away if:

• You have severe pain that is not helped with medicine.
• You have trouble breathing.
• You develop wheezing.

Summary

• After this procedure, it is common to have pain, bruising, swelling, or a burning sensation near the site where a needle entered your skin to inject alcohol (injection site). You may also have pain around your jaw and behind your ears.
• It is common to develop a fever after this procedure.
• The pain may be severe if the alcohol leaks into surrounding tissues. Get help right away if you develop severe pain that is not helped with medicine.
• You may be given medicine to help with pain after the procedure. Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
• You may be given medicine to help with pain after the procedure. Do notdrive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.