Transcatheter tumor vascular intervention therapy includes the following procedures: transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI), transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), and transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

To conduct TAI, a pump containing an artery infusion either of drugs or chemotherapy is administered directly to the artery which feeds blood to the tumor. The objective of this process is to enhance drug response. Moreover, it ensures low concentrations of toxic drugs in the blood circulation which minimizes their harmful effects on other body organs.

Indications

• Well-defined malignant tumors where blood vessels supply blood abundantly.

• Chemotherapy before and after surgery is done to help with the surgical removal of tissue.The chemotherapy given after surgery is meant to assit recovery from the surgery and improve the odds of long term survival for the patient.

• Advanced and terminally ill tumors that have spread and require additional therapy.
• Radiographic treatment in addition to other therapies, including intravenous and oral medication, targeted treatment, and radiofrequency or microwave ablation.

Advantages

• Minimal Trauma: Interventional therapy, as a branch of medicine that does not require surgery, is classified as minimally invasive technology, which does not leave any cuts or only requires a few millimeters of skin incision;
• The effect is apparent: Transcatheter arterial drug infusion therapy is performed directly to the tumor tissues through the arteries. Clinicians often escalate the prescribed dosage. Transcatheter arterial embolization directly occludes feeder vessels, curbing perfusion to the neoplasm and sometimes inducing measurable regression. The procedure effectively ‘starves’ the malignancy and, in select cases, opens a later surgical window by diminishing tumor bulk and stabilizing surrounding vasculature.
• Small side effects: Side effects are minimized because of the direct action performed on the area that requires intervention. In addition to maximizing the concentration of drugs and improving the therapeutic effect, the affected area will have limited dosage needed for the drug;
• High accuracy: These procedures can be achieved under the meticulous guidance of imaging equipment; surgical precision determines the accuracy of the outcome. Our hospital has a DSA-MDCT composite intervention unit, which bi-guides the therapy, thus minimizing the impact on other tissues that may suffer damage.