Through 3D Imaging Technology, dr. Sugi Treats Liver Cancer with TACE

Liver cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers because it is often detected at an advanced stage. Today, treatment is not limited to major surgery or conventional therapies. Advances in medicine now include minimally invasive procedures that are safer and more effective. One widely used technique is Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE), which is available at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.

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Liver Cancer Treatment with the TACE Method

At Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri, TACE procedures are carried out by an expert interventional radiology consultant, dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad (K)RI.

What is TACE?

TACE is a cancer treatment method, particularly effective for liver cancer, that combines localized chemotherapy with a process called embolization.
This minimally invasive procedure does not require major surgery and is typically performed by interventional radiologists like Dr. Sugi at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri.

During TACE, chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly into the blood vessels feeding the tumor. Special embolic agents are then injected to block the blood flow to the tumor. This allows chemotherapy to stay concentrated within the tumor while cutting off its blood supply, which is essential for cancer cell growth.

Read also: 5 Types of Liver Cancer Therapy at Mandaya Royal Hospital Puri

Types of Cancer Treated with TACE

TACE is particularly effective for patients whose primary cancer is in the liver or cancer that has metastasized to the liver. Conditions include:

Primary liver cancers such as hepatoma or hepatocellular carcinoma.
Intrahepatic bile duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma).
Metastatic cancers spreading to the liver, such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, neuroendocrine tumors (carcinoid), certain pancreatic tumors (islet cell tumors), ocular melanoma, and soft tissue sarcomas.

Depending on the number and type of tumors, doctors may use TACE alone or in combination with other treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or ablation.

How TACE Works in Treating Liver Cancer

TACE treats liver cancer in two ways:

It delivers a high concentration of chemotherapy drugs directly into the tumor, minimizing the effect on the rest of the body.
It blocks blood flow feeding the tumor, trapping the drugs inside and depriving the cancer of oxygen and nutrients.

The liver is unique because it has two blood supplies: the hepatic artery and the portal vein. A healthy liver receives 75% of its blood from the portal vein and only 25% from the hepatic artery. However, when a tumor grows in the liver, it relies almost entirely on the hepatic artery for its blood supply.

By injecting chemotherapy into the hepatic artery, TACE targets the tumor directly without significantly affecting healthy liver tissue. Blocking the artery then prevents further tumor growth while the liver continues receiving blood through the portal vein. This ensures chemotherapy remains concentrated in the tumor area for a longer time, improving treatment effectiveness.

Advantages of TACE for Liver Cancer Treatment

The benefits of TACE include:

Stops or shrinks tumor growth in about two-thirds of cases.
Treatment effects typically last 10–14 months, depending on the tumor type, and the procedure can be repeated if the cancer recurs.
Can be combined with other therapies, such as tumor ablation, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy.
Helps prevent liver failure caused by tumor progression.
Maintains optimal liver function.
Improves and preserves the patient’s quality of life.

Meet dr. Sugi: Interventional Radiologist Expert in TACE

dr. Sugianto Santoso, Sp.Rad (K)RI is a consultant interventional radiologist with expertise in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. He completed his medical degree at Maranatha Christian University, Bandung, and pursued his radiology specialization at Universitas Indonesia.

Expertise Beyond Liver Cancer

As an interventional radiologist, Dr. Sugi manages various medical conditions without major surgery, including liver cancer and other diseases. His expertise includes:

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for thyroid nodules.
Microwave Ablation (MWA) and Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) for liver cancer.
Cryoablation for nodules and tumors.
Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) for diagnosing and treating brain aneurysms using Coiling, Flow Diverter, and Stent techniques.

With advanced technology and extensive experience in minimally invasive procedures, dr. Sugianto provides safer and more effective liver cancer treatment options, including TACE.