What is liver chemoembolisation?
Hepatic intra-arterial chemoembolisation (TACE: Trans-Arterial ChemoEmbolisation) combines the targeted injection of chemotherapy directly into the artery feeding a liver tumour, followed by embolisation of that artery with particles, producing both tumour ischaemia and a maximal local concentration of the drug.
It may use doxorubicin-loaded microspheres (DEB-TACE) or a chemotherapy–Lipiodol emulsion depending on the case.
Why chemoembolisation?
- Targeted local treatment of liver tumours that cannot be surgically resected
- Tumour chemotherapy concentration 10 to 100 times higher than the systemic route
- Lasting slowing of tumour progression
- May enable pre-surgical tumour reduction (conversion)
- The standard treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC B)
Who is this method for?
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): the main treatment for intermediate stages on cirrhosis
- Liver metastases (colorectal cancer, neuroendocrine tumours, uveal melanoma, etc.)
- Hepatic desmoid tumours: as part of our clinical trial
- Patients not eligible for surgery or percutaneous ablation
Note: all indications are confirmed at an MDT meeting in hepatology, digestive oncology or oncology depending on the context.
How does it work?
Short hospital stay (1 to 2 days) with pain-relief and anti-sickness premedication
Local anaesthesia ± sedation: femoral or radial arterial access
Diagnostic hepatic arteriography and selection of the tumour segment
Super-selective catheterisation of the artery feeding the tumour
Injection of the chemotherapy-loaded microspheres (or Lipiodol emulsion)
Post-procedure monitoring for 24 to 48 hours: the expected post-embolisation syndrome is treated
What is the recovery like?
- Frequent, temporary post-embolisation syndrome: pain, low-grade fever, fatigue, nausea (systematic preventive treatment)
- Follow-up MRI or CT scan at 4–6 weeks, then every 3 months
- Several sessions may be needed depending on the response
What to prepare before the consultation
- The report from your last oncology MDT meeting
- A recent liver CT or MRI scan
- A complete liver work-up (ALT, bilirubin, prothrombin time, albumin)
- Child-Pugh score if you have cirrhosis
🏥 Rapid diagnosis of liver tumours: a dedicated pathway
Cochin Hospital has a rapid diagnostic pathway for liver tumours, in collaboration with the Hepatology Department of Professor Romain Coriat. If you have a liver abnormality detected on imaging, rapid, coordinated management is possible, including a complete diagnostic work-up, discussion at a hepatology MDT meeting and referral to the most appropriate treatment (surgery, interventional radiology, chemotherapy).
🔗 Hepatology Department — Cochin Hospital → Tel: 01 58 41 42 43🚨 PANCREAS FAST TRACK: rapid diagnosis
Cochin Hospital offers multidisciplinary expertise for the rapid diagnosis of pancreatic lesions. If you have clinical, radiological or biological signs suggesting a pancreatic lesion, you can be referred directly to our specialists:
🔪 Hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery
For surgical resection of tumours of the liver, pancreas and bile ducts. Multidisciplinary care with our interventional team.
chir-digestive-cochin.com →🔬 Gastroenterology & digestive oncology
Pancreatic cancer, neuroendocrine tumours: RENATEN reference centre. Liver tumours (HCC), colorectal cancer, IBD.
Pancreatic cancer → TNE : RENATEN →📄 Patient information sheet
Patient information sheet
Download our patient information sheet before your appointment.
⚡ At a glance — key figures
TACE combines two actions in a single procedure: delivering chemotherapy directly against the liver tumour, then blocking the arteries feeding it. The drug stays concentrated in the tumour.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Tumour response | Objective response in around 50–70% of cases after the first session |
| Main indication | Intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC B) not suitable for surgery or ablation |
| Repeatable treatment | Yes — sessions spaced 6–8 weeks apart, adapted to imaging response |
| Hospital stay | Short (1–2 nights) |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees. |
Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
✅ Covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees in our centre.
❓ Frequently asked questions
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.