Arterial Chemotherapy Infusion of the Liver
Chemoembolization of the Liver (TACE)

Pancreatic Cancer Slideshow

Medical Author: Tse-Ling Fong, MD
Previous Medical Editor: Leslie J. Schoenfield, MD, PhD
Medical Reviewer: Jay W. Marks, MD

• Why is the chemotherapy injected into the hepatic artery?
• What are the side effects and benefits of arterial chemotherapy infusion?
• Just how is arterial chemotherapy infusion done?
• What happens to the patient after this procedure is done?
• How does chemoembolization differ from arterial chemotherapy infusion?
• How does chemoembolization compare with arterial chemotherapy infusion?
• What about mixing the chemotherapy with lipiodol?
• What are the benefits of TACE?

Arterial chemotherapy infusion of the liver and chemoembolization of the liver (transarterial chemoembolization or TACE) are similar procedures that are used for the treatment of liver cancers. In both procedures, chemotherapy is injected into the hepatic (liver) artery that supplies the liver tumor. The difference between the two procedures is that in chemoembolization, additional material is injected to block (embolize) the small branches of the hepatic artery.

Arterial Chemotherapy Infusion of the Liver

Why is the chemotherapy injected into the hepatic artery?

The normal liver gets its blood supply from two sources: the portal vein (about 70%) and the hepatic artery (30%). Primary liver cancer, also known as hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) gets its blood exclusively from the hepatic artery. Making use of this fact, investigators have delivered chemotherapy agents selectively through the hepatic artery directly to the HCC tumor. The theoretical advantage is that higher concentrations of the agents can be delivered to the tumors without subjecting the patients to the systemic toxicity of the agents.

What are the side effects and benefits of arterial chemotherapy infusion?

In reality, however, much of the chemotherapeutic agents does end up in the rest of the body. Therefore, selective intra-arterial chemotherapy can cause the usual systemic (body-wide) side effects. In addition, this treatment can result in some regional side effects, such as inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis), intestinal and stomach ulcers, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). HCC patients with advanced cirrhosis may develop liver failure after this treatment. Well then, what is the benefit of intra-arterial chemotherapy? The bottom line is that fewer than 50% of HCC patients will experience a reduction in tumor size.

Just how is arterial chemotherapy infusion done?

An interventional radiologist (one who does therapeutic procedures) usually carries out this procedure. The radiologist must work closely with an oncologist (cancer specialist), who determines the amount of chemotherapy that the patient receives at each session. Some patients may undergo repeat sessions at six- to 12-week intervals. This procedure is done with the help of fluoroscopy (type of x-ray) imaging. A catheter (long, narrow tube) is inserted into the femoral artery in the groin and is threaded into the aorta (the main artery of the body). From the aorta, the catheter is advanced into the hepatic artery. Once the branches of the hepatic artery that feed the liver cancer are identified, the chemotherapy is infused. The whole procedure takes one to two hours, and then the catheter is removed.

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Chemotherapy - Explains chemotherapy, a drug treatment to kill cancer cells. Article includes descriptions, uses, and side effects, and care support.
• Liver Cancer - Get information on liver cancer, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, staging, prognosis, treatment, and prevention.
• The Digestive System - Read about the digestive system from chewing food, swallowing, emptying into the stomach, through the small and large intestines, and then expelling waste through the anus.

Read more Chemo Infusion and Chemoembolization of Liver related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Boomers Doomed to Disability?
• Gender Divorce Gap After Illness Strikes
• Cigarette Smoking's Decline Levels Off
• 22 Million Cases of Swine Flu in U.S.