Palliative Transarterial Chemoembolization for Advanced Locally Invasive Breast Carcinoma: Current Status and Technical Review

Abstract

Advanced locally invasive breast carcinoma with fungating or ulcerating chest-wall involvement can cause bleeding, discharge, malodor, infection, and pain, leading to substantial physical and psychosocial morbidity. While systemic therapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and wound care remain central, local symptom control is often delayed, incomplete, or limited by patient fitness and prior treatment. Transarterial chemoembolization is an emerging palliative locoregional option that combines selective intra-arterial chemotherapy with embolization-induced devascularization. This technical review summarizes the current evidence for transarterial therapy in advanced breast cancer, focusing on clinical indications, vascular anatomy, procedural technique, safety considerations, and future directions. Further studies are required to define patient selection, optimal technique, symptom-focused endpoints, and integration with multidisciplinary oncologic care.