Interventional Radiology
Radioembolization
Radioembolization with Sirspheres or Theraspheres is a newer technique used to treat both primary and metastatic cancer that has spread to the liver. Prior to treatment, patients undergo an outpatient screening arteriogram. Two weeks following the screening test, a catheter is fed into the artery going to the liver, and the spheres are infused. Certain tumor types such as hepatocellular carcinoma, ocular melanoma, colon cancer and breast cancer and other less common malignancies can be treated with this technique. In this procedure, radioactive particles are infused into the liver treating the tumors with internal radiation therapy. Treatments are typically done on an outpatient basis.
Case Study Radioembolization:
44 year old female with metastatic breast cancer who progressed on multiple regimens of systemic chemotherapy. CT demonstrates the dominant liver metastasis
Three months following Radioembolization with Sir-Spheres, the tumor demonstrates no residual enhancement as well as a partial response by RECIST criteria. Her CA 15-3 dropped from 75 to 12 U/liter (normal range up
to 30 U/liter) following treatment.