Exploring Ablation, TACE, and TARE Procedures for Liver Cancer: Dr. Nikhil Bansal
JR Choudhary 
Jaipur : Treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of liver cancer, is a tough challenge. However, new and less invasive treatments led by Interventional Radiologists are showing promise.
New Methods in Interventional Radiology
Surgery used to be the main way to treat HCC. But now, there are new methods in interventional radiology that are just as effective but less invasive, meaning patients can recover faster. Three important procedures are Ablation, Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), and Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE).
What Are Ablation, TACE, and TARE?
Ablation includes techniques like radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA). These methods use heat to destroy cancer cells. By precisely targeting the tumor, ablation can kill cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue alone. This is especially good for patients with small tumors or those who can’t have surgery.
TACE is a treatment that combines chemotherapy with a procedure that blocks blood flow to the tumor. A small tube is inserted into the artery that supplies blood to the liver. Chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly to the tumor, and the blood supply is blocked, trapping the drugs in the tumor. This makes the treatment more effective and reduces side effects.
Also called Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), TARE involves injecting tiny radioactive beads into the arteries that feed the liver tumor. These beads release radiation directly to the cancer cells, sparing the healthy liver tissue. TARE is a good option for patients whose tumors can’t be removed by surgery or who haven’t responded to other treatments.
These minimally invasive treatments, Ablation, TACE, and TARE, are important options for managing liver cancer. They target the tumor directly, are less invasive than traditional surgery, and help patients recover more quickly. As Interventional Radiologists continue to improve these techniques, the outlook for patients with liver cancer is getting better.
