Transarterial Chemoembolization
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain types of liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma. It involves delivering chemotherapy drugs directly into the blood vessels that supply the tumor, which helps to kill cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.
During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into an artery, and a mixture of chemotherapy and embolic agents is injected. The embolic agents block blood flow to the tumor, effectively starving it of oxygen and nutrients. This dual approach enhances the effectiveness of the treatment and can help shrink tumors or slow their growth.