Year: 2026 | Month: January | Volume: 13 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 252-259
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260124
Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) as Neoadjuvant Therapy in Locally Advanced Tongue Cancer at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital
Munawar1, Kiki Akhmad Rizki2
1Oncologic Surgery Subspecialty Trainee, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran/Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia.
2Oncologic Surgery Staff, Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Munawar
ABSTRACT
Background: Advanced or inoperable tongue cancer presents a significant therapeutic challenge. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has emerged as a potential modality for locoregional control by delivering targeted chemotherapy directly to the tumour. Compared to systemic chemotherapy, TACE achieves higher intratumoural drug concentrations while minimizing systemic toxicity, thus helping preserve patients’ quality of life.
Objective: To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with inoperable tongue cancer who underwent TACE at Dr. Hasan Sadikin General Hospital between 2024 and 2025.
Methods: This descriptive observational study included 12 patients diagnosed with inoperable tongue cancer treated with TACE. Data on demographics, tumour location, histopathology, number of sessions, and treatment response were analyzed.
Results: Among 12 patients, 7 (58%) were male and 5 (42%) female, aged 24–73 years (mean 48.4). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the predominant histopathology (91.7%), mostly affecting the left tongue (75%). The majority (58%) underwent two or more TACE sessions. Post-treatment evaluation showed partial response in 7 patients (58%), stable disease in 4 (33%), and progressive disease in 1 (8%). Four patients (33%) initially considered inoperable achieved sufficient tumour regression for definitive surgery. Histopathology of resected specimens confirmed well-differentiated SCC with clear margins in all surgical cases.
Conclusion: TACE demonstrates encouraging outcomes in managing inoperable tongue cancer, providing effective tumour control with fewer systemic side effects than conventional chemotherapy. It may also serve as a neoadjuvant bridge to surgery in selected cases.
Keywords: Tongue cancer; Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE); Neoadjuvant therapy.
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