New Radiation Technique Treats Liver Tumors

The procedure uses biocompatible radioactive microspheres that contain yttrium-90 and emit high energy beta radiation.

The spheres are implanted via a catheter placed in the artery that feeds the liver. They travel through the bloodstream and are targeted to the tumors within the liver. They are designed to treat the tumor without affecting most of the normal liver tissue. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist selectively catheterizes the arteries feeding the tumor and monitors the catheter during administration of the dose. A nuclear medicine scan is done before the spheres are administered to assure that the catheter is correctly positioned to target the tumors. The patient stays overnight and is discharged the next day.

A randomized trial in patients with colorectal liver metastases showed the median survival rate doubled from 12.8 months with chemotherapy alone to 27.1 months with SIRT and chemotherapy. SIRT was developed by Sirtex (New South Wales, Australia).

"This is not a cure. It's a prolongation of life and an improvement of survival and quality of life,” said Dr. Bill Martin, associate professor of radiology at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN, USA; www.vanderbilt.edu), which is offering the treatment. Unlike many cancer therapies, side effects are minimal.




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