Transarterial Chemoembolisation, or TACE, is a minimally invasive procedure where chemotherapy is delivered directly to a tumour via its blood supply, followed by embolisation to block the blood flow, thereby starving the tumour of nutrients and oxygen.
This targeted approach allows for high concentrations of chemotherapy within the tumour while sparing healthy tissue, resulting in fewer systemic side effects compared to conventional chemotherapy. The procedure is particularly effective for inoperable liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma or HCC) and liver metastases, especially when patients do not respond to systemic treatments like chemotherapy. It can also be used for Pancreatic tumours, Colorectal cancers, lung cancers and even breast cancer.
How is the treatment given?
The treatment is given under local anaesthetic. A catheter is insured in the groin and moved in place into the hepatic artery supplying the liver tumour. Both chemo drugs and embolic agents can then be injected via the catheter directly into the portal vein. This precision targeting ensures maximum tumor response with minimal side effects.
The expert - Prof Thomas Vogl
Professor Thomas J. Vogl is a medical doctor and a leading expert in interventional oncology and diagnostic radiology, and is renowned for his pioneering work in Transarterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) for liver and pancreatic cancers (1).
Vogl is based at the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, part of Goethe-University. Vogl has over 43 years of experience and is considered one of Europe’s most sought-after specialists in minimally invasive, image-guided cancer therapies.
Vogl’s expertise includes TACE, laser-induced thermotherapy (LITT), microwave ablation (MWA), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA), with a focus on treating liver tumours, lung tumours, and metastatic disease.
Treating lung cancer tumours
A similar procedure is used for lung tumours and lung metastases. This is called Transpulmonary Chemoembolization, or TPCE. Again, this minimally invasive treatment focuses on blocking the lung tumor’s blood supply while delivering chemotherapy directly to cancer cells.
Other treatment by Vogl
Vogl uses SIRT, a high dose radiation technique - this delivers radiation-loaded microspheres directly into liver tumors via the bloodstream. This treatment is particularly effective for patients with unresectable liver cancer or metastatic liver disease.
Vogl also uses Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) where people who cannot be treated surgically can have a needle electrode into the tumour, which generates heat to destroy cancerous cells.
He also uses Micro Wave Ablation - an advanced thermal ablation technique by inserting a thin probe into the tumor, which emits microwave energy to destroy cancer cells. This is used to treat both liver and lung tumours.
He may also use Ultrasound, particularly High Intensity Focussed Ultrasound, to heat and kill the tumour without the need to enter the body.
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References
1. Treatment in GermanyProf. Dr. med. Thomas Vogl, Frankfurt University - Treatment in Germany