Abstract
The management of chest tumors and their sequelae has been an uncommon indication
for transarterial embolization (TAE). More recently, vascular embolization has been
increasingly performed for this indication. The most common reported indication for
embolization of neoplastic disease in the chest is the control of bleeding resulting
either from iatrogenic causes or from tumor invasion into a bronchus or vessel.
A natural extension of the application of TAE to neoplasm-related hemoptysis is its
burgeoning indication as a possible primary treatment for benign chest tumors, primary
lung neoplasms, and metastatic disease in patients that are refractory to systemic
therapies and have limited or no surgical options. The goals for this indication are
tumor regression and management of bulk-related symptoms. In addition to bland TAE
for this indication, authors have reported very initial results applying transarterial
chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) to chest neoplasms
with promising results that support feasibility and safety. This article is an up-to-date
review of the management of chest tumors with embolization and its variants.
Keywords
Interventional radiology - lung cancer - embolization - chemoembolization - radioembolization
- hemoptysis
