TACE Procedure Cost in Hyderabad, India – 2026 Guide

The transarterial chemoembolization procedure cost usually varies depending on the patient's medical condition, the complexity of the procedure, the type of embolic and chemotherapy agents used, and the duration of hospitalisation. Below is a detailed breakdown of the pricing associated with the TACE procedure:

Pre-Procedure Costs

• Consultation Fees: This includes the fees for consultations with hepatologists, medical oncologists, oncology surgeons, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists, which majorly depend on the patient's condition.
• Diagnostic Tests: Includes blood tests, liver function tests, kidney function tests, coagulation profile, viral hepatitis screening, tumor markers (if required), and imaging studies such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to evaluate the liver tumor and plan treatment.
• Pre-Procedure Assessment: Comprehensive evaluation is conducted to determine liver function, cancer stage, overall health, and fitness for the procedure, including anaesthesia assessment if necessary.

TACE Procedure Costs

• Hospitalization Charges: Costs for hospital admission, expenses, nursing care, and monitoring prior to and following the treatment. Some patients may require a longer hospital stay depending on their condition.
• TACE Procedure: Costs related to the interventional radiology procedure, including catheterisation, angiography, delivery of chemotherapy directly into the tumour, embolization materials, and specialist fees.
• Procedure Consumables and Imaging during procedure: Charges for catheters, guidewires, contrast dye, embolic materials, chemotherapy drugs used during the procedure, angiography suite utilisation, and real-time imaging guidance.

Post-Procedure Care Costs

• Observation and Recovery: This includes costs for post-procedure monitoring, pain management, medications, and treatment of transitory symptoms .
• Hospital Stay: General hospitalization expenses until the patient is medically stable for discharge. The duration of stay varies depending on the patient's recovery and overall liver function.
• Follow-Up Visits and Imaging: Routine follow-up consultations, blood tests, CT scan or MRI, and additional imaging studies to evaluate the response to treatment, monitor liver function, and determine whether further TACE sessions or additional treatments are required.

This cost structure provides patients with a clear understanding of the expenses involved in the TACE. At PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad, we offer precise, personalised cost estimates based on each patient's medical condition, tumor type (non-cancerous or cancerous), and treatment requirements. This ensures transparent pricing and complete cancer care.

Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is not suitable for every patient with liver cancer. It is recommended for carefully selected patients whose liver function is adequate and whose tumours can benefit from targeted treatment through the liver's blood vessels. The decision to perform TACE is made after a thorough evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, including hepatologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, liver surgeons, and interventional radiologists.

Common Conditions Indicating the Need for the TACE Procedure

• Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC): TACE is most commonly recommended for patients with intermediate-stage liver cancer who have multiple tumours confined to the liver but are not suitable candidates for surgical removal or liver transplantation. It helps slow tumor growth and improve disease control.
• Unresectable Liver Cancer: Patients whose liver tumors cannot be safely removed because of the size, number, or locations, which may benefit from TACE procedure. The procedure delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor while blocking its blood supply, helping to control tumor progression.
• Patients Unsuitable for Surgery or Ablation: Some patients cannot undergo liver surgery or local ablative treatments because of underlying liver disease, medical conditions, or tumor characteristics. TACE provides a minimally invasive treatment option that may help control the disease.
• Bridge to Liver Transplantation: For patients waiting for a liver transplant, TACE may be performed to slow tumor growth and keep the cancer within transplant eligibility criteria until a suitable donor liver becomes available.
• Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma: If liver cancer returns after previous treatment also, then TACE may be recommended to control recurrent tumours, depending on the patient's liver function and overall health.
• Selected Liver Metastases: In carefully selected patients, TACE may also be used to treat cancers that have spread to the liver from other organs. This is when the disease is mainly confined to the liver and other treatment options are limited.
• Residual Tumor After Previous Treatment: If part of the liver tumor remains after treatments such as surgery, ablation, or other liver-directed therapies, TACE may be performed to target the remaining cancer cells and improve local tumor control.

In some cases, TACE procedure may also be combined with other treatment approaches, like targeted therapy, immunotherapy, ablation, or radiation therapy. This is dependent on the type of liver cancer, tumour stage, and the patient's overall health.

While the TACE procedure is a safe and effective treatment for many patients with liver cancer, it is not suitable for everyone. Certain medical conditions may increase the risk of complications or reduce the benefits of the procedure.

• Severely impaired liver function: Patients with advanced liver failure or poor liver reserve may not tolerate TACE, as the procedure can further affect liver function.
• Extensive tumor spread outside the liver: TACE is generally not recommended when cancer has spread extensively beyond the liver, as other treatment options may be more appropriate.
• Complete blockage of the main portal vein: Patients with complete portal vein thrombosis may not be suitable for conventional TACE because reducing the liver's blood supply can increase the risk of liver damage.
• Active infection: Ongoing infections, including liver or bloodstream infections, should be treated before undergoing TACE to reduce the risk of complications.
• Severe kidney disease or contrast dye allergy: Since TACE uses contrast dye during imaging, patients with severe kidney impairment or a significant allergy to contrast agents may require alternative approaches or additional precautions.
• Uncontrolled bleeding disorders: Patients with severe clotting abnormalities or a very low platelet count may have an increased likelihood of bleeding during the procedure.

Assessment by a multidisciplinary liver team is essential to determine eligibility for TACE. A comprehensive evaluation, including blood tests, liver function assessment, imaging studies, and the patient's overall health, helps ensure that the procedure is safe and provide the greatest clinical benefit.

There are different types of TACE procedures are available depending on the patient's liver tumor, overall health, and treatment goals. The technique used may also influence the overall treatment cost.

• Conventional TACE (cTACE): Chemotherapy is mixed with an oily contrast agent and followed by embolic particles to block the tumor's blood supply; the most commonly performed technique.
• Drug-Eluting Bead TACE (DEB-TACE): Special microspheres loaded with chemotherapy are used to slowly release the drug directly into the tumor while simultaneously blocking its blood supply; may reduce systemic side effects.
• Balloon-Occluded TACE (B-TACE): In this, a small balloon catheter temporarily blocks blood flow during treatment, which allows better delivery of chemotherapy to selected liver tumors. It is used in carefully selected patients.
• Selective or Super-Selective TACE: The catheter is advanced into the specific artery supplying the tumor. This allows targeted treatment while preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible. This approach is preferred whenever feasible.

Common Techniques Used During the TACE Procedure

• Selective Catheterization: A thin catheter is guided into the artery supplying the liver tumor to deliver treatment precisely while preserving healthy liver tissue.
• Super-Selective Catheterization: The catheter is advanced into smaller branches feeding the tumor, allowing highly targeted treatment and reducing damage to the surrounding liver.
• Image-Guided TACE: Real-time fluoroscopy and angiography are used throughout the procedure to accurately position the catheter and ensure precise delivery of treatment to the liver tumor.

After the transarterial chemoembolization procedure, following the doctor's instructions is important for a smooth recovery, monitoring liver function, and assessing the response to treatment.

• It is advised to rest for the first 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and gradually resume normal daily activities as recommended by your doctor.
• It is said to drink plenty of fluids, unless otherwise advised, to help the body recover and flush out the contrast dye used during the procedure.
• It is recommended to keep the catheter insertion site (groin or wrist) clean and dry, and watch for any swelling, bleeding, or signs of infection.
• It is suggested to avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and vigorous physical activity for several days or until the doctor confirms it is safe.
• If medications are prescribed to relieve pain, nausea, fever, or prevent infection, it is important to take them exactly as directed.
• It is recommended to eat a balanced, liver-friendly diet and avoid alcohol unless the healthcare provider advises otherwise.
• It is advised to attend all scheduled follow-up visits, including blood tests and imaging scans such as CT or MRI, to evaluate the tumor's response and monitor liver function.
• Seek urgent medical attention if you develop severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, high fever, jaundice, heavy bleeding from the catheter site, or worsening shortness of breath, as these may require prompt medical evaluation.