Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization

Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is an image-guided, non-surgical procedure used primarily to treat unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The procedure involves the super-selective delivery of a mixture of chemotherapeutic agents—specifically adriamycin (doxorubicin), epirubicin, and pirarubicin in the regimen studied by Fan Weijun—along with embolic agents such as lipiodol and embolic microspheres directly into the hepatic artery branches supplying the tumor. This dual-action approach provides a high local concentration of chemotherapy while simultaneously inducing ischemia by blocking the tumor's blood supply. In the multicenter prospective study led by Fan Weijun, TACE is evaluated in combination with Microwave Ablation (MWA) for the treatment of huge (≥ 10 cm) unresectable HCC to improve local control and patient survival.

Other names

TACEChemoembolizationchemoembolization-Fan Weijun-hepatocellular carcinoma