Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) · Los Angeles

Target selected liver tumors through their blood supply.

Chemotherapy and embolization, delivered together through a small catheter.

EVSLA reviews the diagnosis, liver imaging and function, tumor pattern, arterial anatomy, portal-vein blood flow, prior treatment, and oncology plan to determine whether TACE may fit.

Request a TACE Evaluation See If TACE May Fit

TACE is for selected tumors and patients. An evaluation does not guarantee candidacy, tumor response, symptom relief, or a specific outcome.

  • Liver directed
  • Catheter based
  • Care coordinated
Interventional radiology treatment for a selected liver tumor
Start with liver reserveCan the liver safely tolerate embolization?Liver tests, portal blood flow, tumor burden, and the wider care plan all shape the decision.
Treat the selected territoryMedication and embolic material are delivered through carefully chosen liver arteries.
Chemotherapy delivered locally

Treatment enters selected liver arteries through a catheter.

Tumor blood flow reduced

Embolic material helps limit flow in the treated territory.

Coordinated cancer care

TACE is evaluated within the full oncology plan.

Could TACE fit your liver-cancer plan?

The answer depends on the tumor pattern and the healthy liver that must keep working—not on the procedure alone.

The diagnosis and treatment goal are clear

TACE may enter the conversation for selected liver-dominant tumors, commonly certain hepatocellular cancers.

The tumor pattern suits arterial treatment

Number, size, location, arterial supply, and disease inside and outside the liver help define whether a liver-directed approach makes sense.

Liver function and blood flow support treatment

Labs, symptoms, portal-vein flow, healthy liver reserve, and prior liver treatment are central to safety planning.

TACE supports the larger cancer strategy

The recommendation should fit with surgery, transplant, ablation, radiation, systemic therapy, or other care being considered.

How TACE treats through the tumor’s blood supply

A specialist maps the liver arteries, delivers chemotherapy into selected branches, and then reduces blood flow in the treated territory.

1

Map the tumor-feeding arteries

Angiography helps the physician understand the arterial anatomy and select the branches supplying the target area.

2

Deliver chemotherapy locally

Medication is delivered through the catheter into selected liver arteries. The drug and delivery method are individualized.

3

Reduce blood flow

Embolic material is placed to slow or block flow in the treated territory and help keep more treatment near the target.

TACE is a liver-directed treatment—not systemic treatment for cancer everywhere in the body. It is not interchangeable with Y-90 or bland embolization, and it may not be the right approach when liver function, portal blood flow, tumor distribution, or another clinical factor raises concern.

One procedure. A plan built around the liver.

Medication, embolic material, anesthesia, observation, recovery, and follow-up are individualized. Some patients may need staged or repeat treatment.

01

Evaluation and preparation

The team reviews imaging, liver function, blood counts and clotting, kidney function, medications, allergies, prior care, and the treatment goal.

02

Catheter-directed treatment

The physician uses imaging to reach selected liver arteries, delivers chemotherapy, and places embolic material according to the plan.

03

Recovery and response imaging

Your team gives individualized symptom and activity guidance, then uses follow-up imaging and labs to assess the liver and treated area.

Liver-directed embolization, led by specialists

Your specialist reviews tumor supply, liver function, vascular anatomy, prior treatment, and the oncology goal before recommending TACE or another next step.

Board-certified specialists
Angiography-guided planning
Care coordinated with oncology
Three Los Angeles-area clinics
Harout Dermendjian, MD

Harout Dermendjian, MD

Board-Certified Vascular & Interventional Radiologist

Specialty training in oncology and other image-guided treatments, with a direct approach to complex decisions.

Meet Dr. Dermendjian →
Kartik Kansagra, MD

Kartik Kansagra, MD

Board-Certified Vascular & Interventional Radiologist

Clear communication and collaborative planning for complex vascular and minimally invasive care.

Meet Dr. Kansagra →
Sipan Mathevosian, MD

Sipan Mathevosian, MD

Board-Certified Interventional & Diagnostic Radiologist

Interventional oncology experience supporting careful planning for selected embolization and ablation cases.

Meet Dr. Mathevosian →

You do not need to choose a physician before requesting care. EVSLA will route the case based on the clinical question, records, and availability.

Start your evaluation close to home

Choose the clinic most convenient for your evaluation. Procedure location and availability depend on the treatment and clinical need, and the scheduling team will confirm the appropriate site.

La Cañada Flintridge

1407 Foothill Boulevard
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

Clinic details →

What patients ask about TACE

Clear answers about candidacy, local chemotherapy, risks, recovery, and how TACE fits cancer care.

What is TACE?

Transarterial chemoembolization, or TACE, is a catheter-directed liver treatment. A specialist delivers chemotherapy into selected arteries supplying a tumor and then uses embolic material to reduce blood flow and help keep more treatment in the targeted area.

Who may be considered for TACE?

TACE may be considered for selected liver-dominant tumors, commonly certain hepatocellular cancers, when arterial treatment supports the broader cancer-care goal. Eligibility depends on the diagnosis, tumor pattern, liver function, portal-vein blood flow, disease outside the liver, prior care, overall health, and alternatives.

Is TACE the same as systemic chemotherapy?

No. Systemic chemotherapy circulates throughout the body. TACE delivers chemotherapy through selected liver arteries and combines it with embolization. Local delivery does not mean that systemic effects or other complications cannot occur.

How is TACE different from Y-90 radioembolization?

Both are catheter-directed liver treatments, but they deliver different therapies. TACE combines chemotherapy with embolization, while Y-90 delivers radioactive microspheres through selected liver arteries. They are not interchangeable, and the choice depends on the tumor, liver function, vascular anatomy, prior treatment, and the larger oncology plan.

What should I expect after TACE?

Pain, fever, nausea, fatigue, and reduced appetite can occur after embolization. Observation, discharge timing, activity limits, symptom control, and follow-up imaging vary by the treatment extent and individual health. Some patients stay overnight.

Can TACE be repeated or combined with other treatments?

Sometimes. TACE may be staged, repeated, or combined with another cancer treatment when that approach supports the care goal. The decision depends on tumor response, liver function, side effects, disease distribution, and the multidisciplinary plan.

We can help review the next step.

Share your current imaging, diagnosis, recent lab results, and cancer-care plan. EVSLA can review the full picture and explain whether TACE—or another image-guided option—makes sense to discuss.

Request a TACE EvaluationCall (818) 626–3710A request does not confirm candidacy, treatment, coverage, or outcome.