Cancer treatment with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in Germany

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the targeted type of advanced and high-dose chemotherapy to treat some types of cancer. It is a procedure with a combination of chemotherapy drugs and embolic agents (substances that stop blood flow) sent directly to the tumor through its blood vessels.

A thin catheter is put into an artery in the groin during TACE. It is guided to the vessels that feed the tumor. The catheter puts the chemo drugs and embolic agents into the tumor. The embolic agents stop the blood from going to cancer. It helps the chemotherapy drugs stay longer and work better. Most people are sent home the same day after TACE, an outpatient procedure. Depending on the situation and how well the treatment works, it may need to be repeated in a few weeks or months.

TACE is usually well tolerated, but it can have some side effects. Some of these are feeling sick, throwing up, and being tired. Less common but more severe side effects include liver or other organ damage and a higher risk of infection. TACE is usually performed with other treatments, like surgery or radiation therapy, to help keep cancer under control and improve the quality of life.