Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy

CTCA manages one of the only medical centers in the country that offers Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy (IAC). The procedure, which sends chemotherapy directly into the liver through the hepatic artery, has been performed at CTCA for many years. While this procedure is most commonly used for treatment of tumors in the liver, it may also be used for a few other organs such as the brain, head, face and neck tumors, the pelvis and the pancreas.

Just like a cardiac catheterization, IAC begins with a physician inserting a tiny catheter through the femoral artery in the right leg. Once this catheter or line is introduced into the arterial system, the physician performs an angiogram (injects dye under a special scope) to obtain a “roadmap” of the arteries. This angiogram is only done once; thereafter the physician is familiar with your particular arterial system.

The physician then uses this roadmap to insert a line into the hepatic artery, which is the main blood vessel that delivers blood to the liver. Using dye from a syringe to make sure the line is in the correct position, the care team then infuses the chemotherapy drug or drugs directly into the artery.

Patients need to remain flat in bed while the chemotherapy is being delivered into the artery. The length of the procedure depends upon a number of factors, including the stage and site of the cancer, and which drug or drugs are being used. The average time is 2 to 24 hours. Following the procedure, the patient must remain in bed for a full six hours to assure no bleeding is present after the catheter is removed.

IAC is generally performed in conjunction with systemic IV chemotherapy, once a month for as long as you and your care team feel it is appropriate.

The risks and side effect of IAC are the same as traditional chemotherapy, along with the possibility of developing a stomach ulcer, which will be treated with medication should it occur.