Transcatheter intra-arterial therapies play a vital role in treatment of HCC due to the unique tumor vasculature. Evolution of techniques and newer efficacious modalities of tumor destruction have made these techniques popular. Various types of intra-arterial therapeutic options are currently available. These constitute: bland embolization, trans-arterial chemotherapy, trans-arterial chemo embolization with or without drug-eluting beads and trans-arterial radio embolization, which are elaborated in this review.
Keywords: AFP, alpha feto protein; CR, complete response; HAIC, hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy; HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma; LA, laser ablation; OLT, orthotopic liver transplant; PD, progressive disease; PEI, percutaneous ethanol injection; PR, partial response; PVT, portal vein thrombosis; RFA, ablation; SD, stable disease; TACE, trans-arterial chemoembolization; TAE, Trans-arterial embolization; TART, trans-arterial radiotherapy; drug eluting bead (DEB); hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE); trans-arterial embolization (TAE); trans-arterial radiotherapy (TART).