TACE & TARE Therapy for Liver Cancer Treatment in India- Cost, Best Doctors & Leading Hospitals

The availability of advanced medical care is one problem observed in numerous countries in Africa. Various treatments, such as for liver cancer, are available at outrageously high prices, due to which patients are left with very few options. This unhealthy situation has made them fly to countries with affordable and quality medical care, such as India. This presents India as one of the best options, with its high-quality liver cancer treatment being offered at a much lower cost.

When it comes to TACE treatment and transarterial radioembolization, India offers world-class facilities, experienced oncologists, and state-of-the-art technology at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries like the US, UK, and Australia. India embodies the highest standards of medical attention in its affordable settings, and all these ethically charged trials cost many times less than the other medical hubs in the world.

What is Targeted Liver Cancer Therapy?

Targeted Liver Cancer Therapy is an advanced treatment that targets tumors in the liver while minimising side effects on surrounding healthy tissues. It is used for both primary and secondary liver cancers, including metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This therapy involves procedures like TACE and Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE), which deliver chemotherapy or radiation directly to the tumor and cause minimal damage to other tissues. Targeted therapy is typically used in advanced stages of cancer.

What is a TACE Procedure?

Transarterial chemoembolization is a minimally invasive and office-based procedure for liver cancer patients who do not wish to undergo surgery. It is performed through the arteries to deliver chemical agents that block natural blood flow and let the liver absorb high concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs while simultaneously depriving tumours of blood supply.

TACE is commonly used to shrink tumours before liver transplantation or as a palliative treatment to slow cancer progression. It is a well-established and proven intervention for hepatocellular carcinoma and can be repeated as and when necessary.

What is the Procedure for TACE Liver Cancer Treatment in India?

The transarterial chemoembolization procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, where a catheter is inserted into the femoral artery and guided to the hepatic artery using imaging techniques. Chemotherapy drugs are injected directly into the tumour, followed by embolic particles that block blood flow to cancerous tissues.

TACE treatment ensures that chemotherapy is more highly concentrated in the liver, minimising systemic side effects. The chemoembolization process takes between one and two hours, with patients usually being observed for a while after discharge and sent home.

Multiple sessions may be required depending on the response, as TACE treatment does not remove the tumour. TACE is efficient as an intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma therapy, performing effectively in extending life and functionality.

What Will I Experience During and After the TACE Liver Cancer Treatment Procedure?

During TACE liver cancer treatment, patients are awake but gently sedated. Discomfort should only be slight from the catheter insertion or from the process of the treatment itself, yet a minor burning sensation may accompany the injection of chemotherapy.

After the procedure, you may experience:

• Mild pain or discomfort in the abdomen

• Nausea or vomiting for a few days

• Fatigue for a week or more

• Febrile state due to tumor breakdown (post-embolisation syndrome)

• Temporary loss of appetite

Most patients may go home the following day of the TACE procedure, but they should refrain from intense physical activities over the next couple of weeks. The recuperation time also relies significantly on the size or number of treated tumours. Your doctor will carry out follow-up imaging tests based on his or her satisfaction with the progression.

What is Transarterial Radioembolization or TARE Procedure?

Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) is an advanced treatment for liver cancer that involves administering radioactive beads into the blood vessels within the tumour. Unlike chemotherapy, TARE uses radiation to directly target and destroy cancer cells without harming the normal liver tissue.

TARE is often considered for patients with inoperable liver cancer or those who have not responded to previous treatments. The radioactive beads, typically yttrium-90 microspheres, release radiation to the tumour over the course of weeks, leading to a gradual reduction in its mass.

TARE is generally well tolerated, with fewer side effects compared to conventional X-ray therapy. As such, it presents a promising option for patients who are not candidates for the surgery or organ transplantation.

What is the Procedure for TARE Liver Cancer Treatment in India?

TARE is performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. A catheter is first inserted into the femoral artery and guided to the liver’s blood supply. Then, through a hepatic arterial injection, tiny radioactive beads—which are lodged in the tumour and emit radiation for some time— are administered as targeted radiotherapy for liver cancer.

The procedure takes nearly 90 minutes in total, after which they will undergo additional monitoring for several hours before their discharge. Unlike conventional radiation therapies, transarterial radioembolization TARE does not radiate healthy tissues around the treatment area, and hence, it is safer for advanced cases of liver cancers.

Post-procedure, patients may face a bit of fatigue or nausea and mild abdominal pain. These symptoms generally last a few days. Gradually, the tumour will shrink further in the following weeks under the continuing effects of radiation. Regular follow-up imaging would also be essential to monitor the tumour response and to determine whether further treatments are required.

Most of these patients can carry on with their normal activities in a couple of days but are advised against heavy lifting and vigorous exercise for a few weeks. The doctor may also prescribe various dietary means along with medications for mild side effects.

TARE is a very effective procedure for patients with multiple liver tumours or who are not available for liver transplant surgery. The procedure improves the quality of life and survival rates in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

What are the Benefits of Targeted Therapy for Liver Cancer Treatment in India?

Targeted liver cancer treatments like TACE and TARE offer several advantages over traditional therapies. Procedures like TACE and TARE administer chemotherapy or radiation directly to the tumour to minimise damage to healthy liver tissues, thereby also minimising overall side effects.

Improved tumour control is one key advantage. TACE treatment shrinks the tumour by cutting off the blood supply. On the other hand, transarterial radioembolization (TARE) destroys the cancerous cells using focused radiation. Both methods have had high success with the inhibition rate of the tumour's growth and overall patient outcomes.

Above all, these techniques are minimally invasive. There is only the insertion of small catheters rather than open surgery procedures. Recovery time, in this case, is faster, and the complications will be markedly less. There will be lower pain readings, and the activities will once again be undertaken within the same time frame as the rest of the population.

Likewise, targeted therapies are extremely suitable for patients who are not eligible for surgery or liver transplantation. These are options for liver cancer treatment, symptom improvement, and short-term prognosis. Regular follow-up appointments with imaging also allow the provider to monitor efficacy and make changes as necessary to help the patient recover and lead a healthy life.

What is the TARE & TARE Procedure Cost in India?

The price of TACE in India's leading hospitals starts at $5,000, where the highest quality standards are maintained. At the same time, the price of TARE can be anywhere between $20,000 and $25,000 in India. The targeted liver cancer treatment costs depend on how big the liver tumour is and how many sittings are required. Furthermore, other procedures associated with these treatments can cause variations in costs.

TACE & TARE Liver Cancer Treatment in India FAQs

1. What precautions are to be observed after TACE?

Precautions after TACE liver cancer treatment include not straining oneself, drinking many fluids, and taking diet instructions from one's doctor. Regular follow-up visits are essential for monitoring tumour response.

2. Are there any side effects of TACE?

Yes, it mostly comes with mild side effects like nausea and vomiting, fever, tiredness, or discomfort in the abdomen; some may incur serious complications, though rare.

3. What is the success rate of TARE?

The TARE procedure is highly successful, shrinking many tumours considerably and extending the lives of patients; thus, it is useful in treating inoperable conditions.

4. Is TACE a one-time treatment, or does it need multiple cycles of treatment?

Usually, TACE requires several sessions depending on tumour size and response to treatment or as determined by your doctor.

5. Is TARE better than TACE?

The TARE procedure is usually used for advanced liver transplant cases and gives better tumour control and fewer side effects; TACE, on the other hand, is better for intermediate liver cancer. The choice will be based on the condition of the patient and the stage of cancer.