Chemoembolization uses a combination of intra-arterial chemotherapy drugs and agents to block the arterial flow (embolization) to treat tumors of the liver due to primary liver cancer and tumors that have spread to the liver. Like microsphere therapy, chemoembolization uses the unique blood flow characteristics of the liver to maximize the damage to the tumor with minimal effect on the normal liver. The liver has a dual blood supply arising from the hepatic artery and the portal vein. Normal liver tissue derives most of its blood supply from the portal vein and can survive with no blood flow from the hepatic artery. The opposite is true of liver tumors. They derive nearly all of their blood supply from the hepatic artery. As a result, any therapy delivered through the hepatic artery will have minimal effect on normal liver and maximal effect on the tumor.

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In some patients the use of chemoembolization has advantages over the microsphere procedure. Initial clinical evaluation and imaging studies including a liver arteriogram are all considered in making this decision.