TAE (transarterial embolization) is a procedure in which a thin tube (catheter) is passed from an artery in the groin or wrist to the vessels feeding a tumour, which are then blocked. Unlike TACE, it uses embolic material only, with no chemotherapy. In studies published in 2026, TAE was technically successful in every patient treated for gastric cancer bleeding, and Stanford University reported a 2-year progression-free survival of 87% when TAE was followed by cryoablation for kidney tumours larger than 3 cm.
This article draws on four 2026 studies from China, the United States, Japan and Taiwan, plus Cancer Research UK patient information, to explain what TAE is, who receives it, the latest results and what recovery looks like.
Treatment status · TAE is a long-established, standard interventional radiology procedure in Japan, Europe and the US. It is used for liver cancer, to stop tumour bleeding, and to prepare for surgery or ablation. The figures below come from studies that reviewed patients treated in routine care (retrospective studies). This article is general information, not a treatment recommendation.
What is TAE?
As tumours grow, they recruit new blood vessels from nearby arteries. In TAE, the doctor maps the vessels under X-ray guidance, guides a catheter to the branch supplying the tumour or bleeding point, and blocks it. Materials include gelatin sponge particles, tiny beads (microspheres), medical glue (NBCA) and metal coils. Once the blood supply is cut, bleeding stops and the tumour is deprived of oxygen and nutrients.
Cancer Research UK describes TAE as bland embolisation, using only the blocking substance, while TACE adds chemotherapy into the vessel before blocking it. Because no chemotherapy is used, there are no drug-related side effects, and TAE can be done quickly in emergencies.
| Item | TAE (transarterial embolization) | TACE (chemoembolization) |
|---|---|---|
| What is injected | Embolic material only (gelatin sponge, microspheres, glue, coils) | Chemotherapy plus embolic material |
| Main uses | Stopping tumour bleeding, ruptured liver cancer, blocking flow before surgery or ablation, liver cancer treatment | Standard treatment for intermediate-stage liver cancer |
| Emergency use | Yes, even in bleeding with shock | Usually planned |
| Duration | 1–2 hours | 1–2 hours |
Based on Cancer Research UK patient information and the studies below.
See TACE (transarterial chemoembolization) explained for TACE, and our IVR (interventional radiology) guide for catheter procedures in general.
Who receives it?
- Tumour bleeding: continuing bleeding from cancers such as gastric, bladder or breast cancer, especially when endoscopy cannot stop it.
- Ruptured liver cancer: when a liver tumour bursts and bleeds into the abdomen. TAE is widely used as a first treatment that is gentler than emergency surgery.
- Preparation for ablation: in larger kidney tumours, blocking the vessels before cryoablation reduces bleeding and helps the ice ball spread.
- Liver cancer treatment: a vascular treatment used alongside TACE when surgery is not possible and liver function is preserved.
Cancer Research UK notes that patients need reasonable general health and working liver and kidneys. See tests before liver cancer procedures for how this is assessed.
Stopping gastric cancer bleeding
Interventional radiologists at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China, analysed 85 patients who underwent TAE for bleeding from advanced gastric cancer between 2018 and 2024, published in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology (April 2026). Vessels were blocked with NBCA glue in 36 patients and gelatin sponge particles in 49.
| Outcome | NBCA glue (36) | Gelatin sponge (49) |
|---|---|---|
| Technical success | 100% | 100% |
| Clinical success (bleeding controlled) | 86.1% | 67.3% |
| Rebleeding within 30 days | 19.4% | 40.8% |
| Rebleeding within 6 months | 30.6% | 57.1% |
| Major complications | 0 | 0 |
He D, et al. J Gastrointest Oncol 2026;17(2):50. Single-centre retrospective study.
Both techniques blocked the target vessels in every case, with no major complications. Minor complication rates were similar (36.1% and 32.7%). Bleeding control lasted longer with glue, and the authors concluded that NBCA may be a favourable option. Patients with very low haemoglobin (60 g/L or less) or clotting problems were at higher risk, so prompt treatment once bleeding starts matters.
TAE before kidney cancer cryoablation
Interventional radiologists at Stanford University and the University of Kentucky reported in Urologic Oncology (March 2026) on 46 patients with kidney tumours larger than 3 cm who had TAE followed by percutaneous cryoablation. The median tumour size was 4.5 cm, and 31 tumours were over 4 cm.
| Outcome | Result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Primary success, 4 cm or less (T1a) | 93% | 100% including repeat treatment |
| Primary success, over 4 cm (T1b) | 81% | 87% including repeat treatment |
| 1-year progression-free survival | 94% | Median follow-up 1.6 years |
| 2-year progression-free survival | 87% | Share with no regrowth |
| Severe adverse events | 4% (2 patients) | Both were bleeding after the procedure |
Hung ML, et al. Urol Oncol 2026;44(3):110964. Two academic centres, patients treated 2014–2024.
The authors concluded that combining TAE and cryoablation is an effective option for larger kidney tumours with a low rate of severe adverse events. Long-term results for small kidney tumours are covered in kidney cancer cryoablation long-term results.
TAE for ruptured and other liver cancer
A ruptured liver tumour causes sudden abdominal pain and a drop in blood pressure, and TAE is used as emergency treatment to find and block the bleeding vessel. Doctors at Yokohama City University Medical Center in Japan reported in Interventional Radiology, the journal of the Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology (August 2026), a 66-year-old man in shock from a ruptured peritoneal liver cancer nodule. Using a triaxial catheter system to reach a tortuous omental artery, they stopped the bleeding and noted that TAE can be a minimally invasive alternative even where surgery is difficult.
TAE also remains widely used in liver cancer care. Researchers at Tri-Service General Hospital in Taiwan analysed national health insurance data on 225,631 people diagnosed with liver cancer between 2008 and 2021 (International Journal of Medical Sciences, January 2026). Both the 13,038 patients who had TAE and the 13,075 who had TACE were associated with lower mortality (hazard ratio 0.17 each).
| Item | TAE | TACE |
|---|---|---|
| Patients | 13,038 | 13,075 |
| Adjusted hazard ratio (death) | 0.171 | 0.172 |
| 95% confidence interval | 0.164–0.178 | 0.166–0.179 |
Huang YH, et al. Int J Med Sci 2026;23(1):283-292. An observational comparison with patients who did not have the procedure; healthier patients may have been more likely to receive it.
The authors said the findings support continued use of TAE and TACE as standard treatments in appropriately selected patients. TACE, which adds chemotherapy, is more often chosen as first treatment for intermediate-stage liver cancer, so your care team will decide the best approach based on tumour number and liver function.
Procedure and recovery
According to Cancer Research UK, an interventional radiologist performs the procedure under local anaesthetic or sedation in 1–2 hours. A catheter is inserted through the groin artery, contrast shows the vessels, and the embolic material is injected. The catheter is then removed and pressure applied. Most people stay one or two nights, lie down for a few hours and drink plenty of fluids to clear the contrast.
| Timing | Common symptoms | Management |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 days after | Flu-like aches and fever (post-embolisation syndrome) | Pain relief, fever and anti-sickness medicine |
| 1–2 weeks | Pain under the right ribs, tiredness, nausea | Rest; usually settles on its own |
| Call promptly | Worsening pain or high temperature | Contact your care team |
Adapted from Cancer Research UK patient information on embolisation for liver cancer.
Post-embolisation syndrome is a reaction of the blocked tumour. It is controlled with medicine and settles within 1–2 weeks. Infection, kidney problems and allergic reactions are uncommon, and the team checks for them with tests before and after the procedure.
Japan and other countries
| Region | Current practice | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | University hospital radiology teams perform TAE for emergency bleeding such as ruptured liver cancer and report cases to the society journal | JSIR journal (2026) |
| United States | TAE combined with cryoablation for larger kidney tumours | Stanford and Kentucky (2026) |
| United Kingdom | TAE and TACE offered on the NHS for liver cancer, one or two nights in hospital | Cancer Research UK |
| China and Taiwan | Widely used for gastric cancer bleeding and in nationwide liver cancer care | Qingdao (2026), Taiwan national data (2026) |
International patients are often not covered by the host country's public insurance, so confirm costs and scheduling directly with the hospital.
Most university hospitals abroad with a vascular interventional team offer TAE. For small liver tumours suited to needle ablation, see also liver cancer RFA: procedure and recovery.
Questions for your doctor
- Is TAE or TACE better for my situation, and why?
- Which embolic material (glue, microspheres, gelatin sponge) will be used?
- When and how will you check that bleeding has stopped or the tumour has responded?
- If bleeding returns, can the procedure be repeated or another treatment used?
- How long will I stay in hospital, and what should I watch for at home?
For preparing your consultation, see also five questions before an RFA consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TAE and TACE?
Both block the arteries feeding a tumour. TACE injects chemotherapy before blocking, while TAE uses embolic material only. TAE is especially common when blood flow must be stopped quickly, such as for bleeding or before ablation.
How long is recovery after TAE?
Most people stay one or two nights. Flu-like post-embolisation syndrome may occur for a few days, and tiredness can last about two weeks. Symptoms are managed with medicine and usually settle on their own.
Can TAE stop bleeding from a cancer?
In a 2026 Chinese study, the procedure was technically successful in all 85 patients with gastric cancer bleeding, and bleeding stayed controlled in 86.1% of those treated with glue. Depending on the site, it may be combined with endoscopy or radiotherapy.
Can TAE be repeated?
Yes. Cancer Research UK notes that treatment may be repeated. In the kidney study, success for tumours of 4 cm or less reached 100% when repeat treatment was included.
Related: phase 3 results from adding immunotherapy to chemoembolization for intermediate liver cancer are covered in TACE plus immunotherapy: EMERALD-3. Radioactive beads instead of embolic material are covered in Y-90 radioembolization for liver cancer, and the phase 3 TORCH results of adding RFA after embolization in TACE plus RFA for intermediate-stage liver cancer. The same principle applied to uterine vessels is covered in our uterine artery embolization (UAE) guide, and two needle-based heat treatments for liver cancer are compared in microwave vs radiofrequency ablation for liver cancer.
This article summarises official sources and published research as general information and is not medical advice. Please discuss treatment choices with the doctors who examine you.
Sources (checked October 25, 2026)
- He D, Shao L, Xie Y, et al. Transcatheter arterial embolization with N-butyl cyanoacrylate versus gelatin sponge particles for gastric cancer-related upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a comparison of efficacy and safety. Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology. 2026;17(2):50.
- Hung ML, Wang R, Yu C, et al. Efficacy and safety of sequential transarterial embolization and cryoablation of renal masses greater than 3 cm. Urologic Oncology. 2026;44(3):110964.
- Aoki R, Kambe M, Numata T, et al. Ruptured Peritoneal Dissemination of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Successfully Treated with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization: A Case Report and Literature Review. Interventional Radiology (Japanese Society of Interventional Radiology). 2026;11:e20260023.
- Huang YH, Hu PJ, Chiu SH, et al. Real-World Efficacy of Transarterial Embolization and Transarterial Chemoembolization in Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Nationwide Cohort Study in Taiwan. International Journal of Medical Sciences. 2026;23(1):283-292.
- Cancer Research UK. Embolisation treatment for liver cancer (TAE and TACE).