TACE / TACI?
TACE / TACI is one of the modern and developing cancer treatments widely performed all over the world and has been available in BaliMéd Hospital since 2013. This treatment is done by a doctors who are trained in radiology and interventional therapy (or simply called Interventional Radiologist). No other specialty possesses this unique combination of skills.
What is TACE?
Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (also called transarterial chemoembolization or TACE) is a minimally invasive procedure performed in interventional radiology to restrict a tumor’s blood supply. Small embolic particles coated with chemotherapeutic drugs are injected selectively through a catheter into an artery directly supplying the tumor. These particles both block the blood supply and induce cyto-toxicity, attacking the tumor in several ways.
What is TACI?
TACI (Trans Arterial Chemo Infusion) is infusing the chemo inside the tumor cell feeding arteries, with or without the blocking agent.
Why TACE/TACI?
A few reasons why TACI / TACE is considered as one of the alternative therapies for cancer treatment:
- It is globally recognized as a part of multi-disciplinary cancer treatment.
- To be performed on primary tumor and / or metastatic stage.
- Provides more advantage on high risk old patient if performed along with surgery or systemic chemotherapy.
- Acting as an alternative therapy if the patient refuses conventional chemotherapy.
The major advantages of TACI / TACE:
- Lower dosage of chemo compared to regular chemotherapy and targeted directly to the tumor cell
- Minimal side effect of the medicine (allows better activity or mobility for the patients).
- Help to reduce the tumor and hemorrhaging risk during operation (if the operation is needed)
How is it done?
TACE/TACI is done in the x-ray department of a hospital. You may be given a local anesthetic with a drug to help you relax, or you may be given a general anesthetic to put you to sleep.
The doctor places a thin tube (called a catheter) into the large blood vessel in your groin (called the femoral artery). The doctor then moves the catheter up through the artery until it reaches the artery of the affected organ. A radio-opaque dye is injected into the catheter and an x-ray is taken to find the branches of the artery that are feeding the tumor (called an angiogram). The doctor then moves the catheter to these arteries.
If it’s TACE then the doctor injects a material into the arteries feeding the tumor. The material blocks these arteries. Some types of blocking material dissolve so the arteries are not permanently blocked. The most commonly used material for TACE is a gelatin sponge. Sometimes the gelatin sponge is soaked in a chemotherapy drug and an oily liquid called lipiodol before the doctor injects it into the artery. The sponge traps the chemotherapy drugs inside the liver so that they are concentrated in the area of the tumours. Lipiodol lengthens the amount of time that the drugs are held in the liver. If the chemotherapy drugs are not in the sponge, they are injected into the arteries after they are blocked.
If it’s TACI then the doctor will shot a dose or more of chemotherapy drug to the tumor.
After the process is done, the doctor pulls the catheter out through the femoral artery. Pressure and ice are placed over the incision to help reduce swelling and stop bleeding.
The information is to be used as rough guidelines and not for medical advice.
Please consult one of our qualified healthcare specialists for an accurate diagnosis before starting on any treatment.
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