Tumor embolization (arterial supply)

Tumor embolization is a minimally invasive interventional radiology procedure in which the arterial blood supply to a tumor is deliberately blocked using embolic materials such as particles, microspheres, coils, or chemical agents. The goal is to induce tumor ischemia and necrosis, often as a palliative measure or to reduce surgical blood loss. Embolization can be combined with localized chemotherapy (transarterial chemoembolization, TACE) or radiotherapy (radioembolization), allowing high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic exposure. Tumor embolization is used in the management of various malignant and some benign solid tumors, particularly when surgical resection is not feasible or as a bridge to surgery or transplantation. This technique is not a molecular target, receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but a therapeutic process[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8].

Other names

arterial tumor embolizationtransarterial embolizationtransarterial chemoembolizationTAETACEradioembolization

Physical/chemical blockade of arterial blood flow to tumor tissue, causing ischemia and necrosis[1][2][4][5][6][7]. Local delivery of chemotherapeutics (in TACE) or radiotherapeutics (in radioembolization) directly to the tumor via its arterial supply[3][5][6].