Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery

What is Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive method used to treat liver cancer. This strategy combines the direct administration of chemotherapy to the liver tumor with the embolization technique, which blocks the blood vessels that nourish the tumor. By controlling blood flow, TACE targets the delivery of chemotherapy to the tumor, making it more effective while lowering systemic exposure and the negative effects that come with it.

Types of Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery procedures

Conventional TACE or Traditional
Traditional or conventional TACE consists of a combination of chemotherapy drugs, a contrast medium, and an embolising agent. This infusion is performed with the help of a catheter directly into the hepatic artery that gives blood supply to the tumor.

Drug-Eluting Bead TACE
Drug-Eluting Bead TACE uses tiny beads loaded with chemotherapy drugs. These beads slowly release the drugs over a long period of time, thereby sustaining an effective dose of chemotherapy on the tumor while also having an embolic effect on blood vessels.

Need for Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery Procedures

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a versatile therapy option for many types of liver cancer. This treatment is highly effective and can benefit both adults and children. TACE can also be used as a bridge therapy for patients awaiting liver transplantation, which lowers tumor size and prevents progression.

Liver Cancer (Hepatocellular Carcinoma)
TACE is often the first-line treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially when the tumors are too large or ineligible for surgical resection. It provides a localized approach to targeting the cancer cells directly within the liver while minimizing systemic side effects.

Metastatic Cancers
TACE treats cancers that have spread to the liver from other primary sites, including breast cancer, colon cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, ocular melanoma, and sarcoma. TACE also helps manage ocular melanoma that spreads to the liver and control disease progression in sarcoma.

TACE offers an alternative for people who may not be suitable for other types of treatment.

Preparing for Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery

Pre-procedure Instructions
To prepare for a TACE procedure, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Some medications may need to be stopped several days before the procedure.
Blood Thinners: To avoid severe bleeding before and after surgery, patients should stop taking blood thinners such as warfarin, aspirin, or any other anticoagulant a few days before the procedure.
Fasting is advised for 6–8 hours to reduce complications during sedation or anesthesia.
Transportation is necessary for the first 24 hours after the procedure due to sedation or anesthesia.

Testing and imaging
The procedure involves various blood tests and imaging to evaluate the liver's functionality, detect infections or anemia, and ensure the kidneys can handle the contrast dye used during imaging.
Ultrasonography is used to visualize the liver, detect tumors, and guide the placement of the biopsy needle.
A computed tomographic (CT) scan provides detailed images of the liver and its surrounding structures. 
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers high-resolution images and better contrast between different tissues for tumor characterization. 
Angiography involves injecting contrast dye into blood vessels to visualize the arterial supply to the liver and identify the arteries feeding the tumor.

Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery procedure

Anesthesia and Catheter Insertion: The procedure involves local anesthesia to make the groin area numb, followed by the insertion of a catheter into the femoral artery.
Catheter Navigation: The hepatic artery supplying the liver tumor receives the catheter as it advances up through the arterial system under fluoroscopic guidance.
Chemotherapy Treatment: After the catheter is in place, a chemotherapy drug mixed with an embolizing agent or drug-eluting beads is injected directly into the artery that supplies the tumor.
Embolization: The embolizing agent does cut off the blood supply to the tumor, thereby locking the chemotherapy drug at the site and cutting off the blood supply to the tumor.
Catheter Removal: The catheter is removed carefully after chemotherapy delivery and embolization, and pressure is applied at the inserted site to prevent bleeding.

Post-Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery care

After TACE, patients are taken to the recovery area for observation for a few hours to note possible immediate complications. Most patients can be discharged home on the same day or the following morning. Patients may, however, complain of mild to moderate pain, nausea, and fever, which are normal effects of the procedure.

Medications and Follow-Up
Pain relievers and anti-nausea medications can be prescribed to the patient. Antibiotics may also be prescribed in order to prevent infection. Follow-up appointments are very important for the patients, as this will allow the doctor to monitor the liver function, assess the response to treatment, and manage side effects. Imaging studies are generally done 1-3 months after TACE to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.

Lifestyle Changes
- Patients should also live healthily, observe a good diet, and avoid excessive drinking.
- Exercising regularly and having an optimal weight help individuals stay healthy and promote their recovery.
- Avoid hepatotoxic substances: avoid items that are harmful to the liver, which include some drugs and alcohol.

Risks and Complications

While TACE is essentially safe, some of its risks and complications include:
- Postembolization syndrome PES, pain, fever, nausea, and fatigue
- Liver failure or liver dysfunction in patients with pre-existing liver disease
- Infection of the catheter insertion site.
- Blood clots or bleeding
- Nontarget embolization, with the embolizing agent acting on non-tumor tissue

Success Rates and Outcomes

Success with TACE is determined by several factors, including the size and site of the tumor, the condition of the liver, and the overall health of the patient. It has been satisfactorily shown that TACE is able to reduce the size of tumors in most patients, control symptoms, and maximize survival time. Studies have shown that TACE improves survival in patients suffering from liver cancer of the intermediate stage and can act as a good bridge therapy for people who are on the waiting list for liver transplantation.

Conclusion

TACE has thus become a very useful treatment option in the management of patients suffering from liver cancer, especially those who are not candidates for surgical resection or liver transplantation. This intervention requires a multidisciplinary team with very state-of-the-art technologies, which makes it very effective and focused on the management of liver tumors. Pre-procedure instructions, complete evaluations, and post-procedure guidelines also play a big role in ensuring that patients derive maximum benefits from TACE and improve their quality of life.

Why choose Continental Hospitals for Transarterial
Chemoembolization (TACE) Surgery

Continental Hospitals is a leading healthcare institution noted for its cutting-edge facilities, skilled medical personnel, and comprehensive care in a variety of specializations. Continental hospitals offer a patient-centered approach, modern diagnostics, novel therapies, and high success rates. here are the reasons why you can choose continental hospitals.

Access the latest and most effective treatments and procedures. 
Multidisciplinary Teams: Collaborative treatment strategy includes specialists from diverse professions.
Accreditation: National and international healthcare agencies recognize the institution. 
Expert medical staff: Skilled doctors, surgeons, and healthcare workers.