What is chemoembolization?
Chemoembolization, also known as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), is a treatment that aims to shrink a liver tumor so that it is small enough to be surgically removed. Chemoembolization focuses a large dose of chemotherapy directly into a tumor, which reduces the blood supply to the tumor, causing it to shrink.
Why is chemoembolization performed?
Chemoembolization will be performed if surgery is not feasible, or in preparation for surgery to ensure that the tumor has shrunk to a size that can be safely removed.
The goal of this treatment is to shrink a liver tumor.
What does chemoembolization consist of?
Chemoembolization is performed by an interventional radiologist, who inserts a catheter into the femoral artery in the groin. A mild sedative or local anesthetic will be administered to avoid any pain or discomfort. The catheter is then guided along the femoral artery to the hepatic artery that feeds the liver. Once the catheter is in the correct place inside the liver, chemotherapy is injected into the catheter.
After the chemotherapy, a special gel or small drops are injected into the catheter. This is to stop the blood flow to the tumor which helps kill the cancer cells by cutting off the oxygen supply. This also helps keep the chemotherapy drugs in the liver longer. Therefore, chemoembolization has a two-pronged approach: first, chemotherapy and second, stopping the flow of blood and oxygen.
How to prepare for chemoembolization?
First, suitability for chemoembolization will be determined by various scans (MRI and CT) and liver function tests. If you have any portal vein blockage (this is the vein that supplies blood from the intestine to the liver), cirrhosis or blocked bile ducts, chemoembolization may not be possible.
It is important to be aware of the possible side effects of chemoembolization:
- Nausea, pain and a slight fever, known as post-embolization syndrome, are common, but can be controlled with pain relievers and anti-nausea medications.
- Side effects of chemotherapy.
- In rare cases, if the liver is damaged, liver failure may occur.
Chemoembolization aftercare.
Once treatment is completed, the catheter is removed. You will stay in bed for a few hours after the procedure to make sure the catheter wound does not bleed.
Alternatives to chemoembolization
If you are having too many side effects from chemotherapy, transarterial embolization (TAE) can be tried instead.