Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization + Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy

This is a combination therapy approach that utilizes two liver-directed treatment modalities: **Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE)** is a minimally invasive procedure where non-resorbable embolic microspheres loaded with chemotherapy drugs (such as doxorubicin) are injected into the arteries feeding liver tumors. These beads simultaneously deliver high concentrations of chemotherapy directly to the tumor while blocking blood flow to the tumor (embolization), causing ischemic necrosis. The beads allow for sustained local drug release over time (approximately 1 month) with minimal systemic exposure. **Hepatic Arterial Infusion (HAI) Chemotherapy** involves surgically implanting a small pump (about the size of a hockey puck) in the subcutaneous pocket of the lower abdomen. The pump is connected to a catheter placed directly into the hepatic artery, allowing for continuous direct infusion of chemotherapy drugs into the liver's arterial blood supply. This approach delivers much higher concentrations of chemotherapy to liver tumors (300-400 times higher than intravenous chemotherapy) while minimizing systemic side effects.

Other names

DEB-TACE + HAI Chemotherapy