Transarterial Chemoembolisation

Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) is a procedure that uses chemotherapy and special embolic agents to cut off the blood supply to the cancerous tumour. The procedure is done to treat primary hepatic cancer. Embolisation is a treatment that blocks or slows down the blood going to the organ. The agent used to stop the blood flow also carries chemotherapy drugs, known as chemoembolisation.

The procedure is done when the liver cancer cannot be treated with other options. Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) may be used as a standalone treatment or combined with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, ablation, or surgery. TACE is a palliative treatment, which means that it will not cure cancer. However, it is primarily used to control tumour growth or try to shrink it. TACE procedure has more benefits compared to traditional chemotherapy. The TACE procedure has its fair share of risks and side effects, though it is usually less than conventional chemotherapy.