Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE)

Similar to Arterial Chemotherapy, TACE is a minimally invasive treatment that delivers chemotherapy directly to the organ, while also depriving the tumor of its blood supply by blocking (embolizing) the arteries that feed the tumor.

Using imaging for guidance, the interventional radiologist inserts a small catheter into the femoral artery and guides it to reach the blood vessels supplying the liver tumor. Embolic agents are then injected to keep the chemotherapy drug in the tumor by blocking the flow to other areas of the body. This allows for a higher dose of chemotherapy to be used, since less of the drug is able to circulate to the healthy cells in the body.